Optical design and quantitative perturbation analysis of a nulling interferometer

Title

Optical design and quantitative perturbation analysis of a nulling interferometer

 Author

Vlot, Henri (TU Delft Aerospace Engineering)

Contributor

Loicq, J.J.D. (mentor)
Saathof, R. (graduation committee) ORCID 0000-0003-0368-0139
Adam, A.J.L. (graduation committee) ORCID 0000-0002-6727-946X

 Degree granting institution

Delft University of Technology

 Programme

Aerospace Engineering

 Date

2024-05-23

 Abstract

Finding signs of life on planets outside of Earth is an ongoing challenge in astronomy. Nulling interferometry is a promising method to not only detect exoplanets, but also allow for characterization of their atmospheres. Nulling interferometry has been demonstrated on ground, but with limited success, due to atmospheric turbulence. To maximize the potential, a space-based observatory is needed. In the early 2000s, several space based missions were proposed, which marked the start of many system studies. Nonetheless, considerations on the telescope design are lacking in the literature. To gain new insights in the behavior of a space-based nulling interferometer under operational conditions, several designs were made in Code V for this study, including an off-axis Cassegrain, Ritchey-Chretien (RC) and Gregorian. By means of a numerical perturbation analysis, the RC was shown to be the most promising.

 Subject

nulling interferometry
optical design
Perturbation Analysis

 To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7bc37101-a70a-49ae-aaff-ec51a5962cbf

 Part of collection

Student theses

 Document type

master thesis

 Rights

© 2024 Henri Vlot
Files
PDF Thesis_Report_Henri-Vlot_final.pdf 17.6 MB
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