Abstract

One of the biggest challenges in modern Astronomy is the direct detection of extrasolar planets using ground based telescopes. While the small angular separation of the star-planet system is an unchangeable limitation, the contrast ratio can dramatically be improved by shifting the observing wavelength to the mid-infrared. In the astronomical L’-band (3.5 – 4.1 μm), atmospherical disturbances are relatively low while the thermal emission of young planets peak [1]. To discover these planets the host star can be selectively dimmed relative to its surroundings employing nulling interferometry [2].

© 2017 IEEE