Demonstration of New Technologies for Coronagraphic Occulter Mask Development

Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

The research is to develop the necessary technology to build a new type of occulter mask for coronagraphic applications. The mask will permit high contrast imaging over a broad wavelength range and at large bandwidths. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that broadband absorption can be obtained using embedded absorbers in refractive index matching glass. The absorber will be a dye-doped Polymethyl methacrylate which will be embedded in a transparent, refractive index matching glass to create the mask. The broad color range of the mask will be obtained via the dye mixture.