Abstract

The context of this work is the development of integrated optic beam combiners devoted to stellar interferometry [1]. In the run for exoplanet detection, the 2.5-5 μm observation window has been identified as an adequate band for planet search science [2]. Besides, for spatial applications, the use of compact and light optical beam combiners ensuring robustness and stability of the interferometric signal is mostly welcome. Thus, the development of materials allowing light confinement, together with a good transparency in the mid-IR and able to achieve electro-optic modulation, in order to finely tune the relative phase of the interacting fields, is knowing a rapid development. Indeed, there are recent publications in active materials like lithium niobate beam combiners centered in K-band (2.2μm) [3] and L-band (3.7μm) [4]. In this paper we present our recent achievements in active Y-junctions devoted to nulling interferometry in the L and M band (respectively centered at 3.7μm and 4.75μm).

© 2011 Optical Society of America