Abstract

We have measured a contrast of $6.5\times {10}^{-8}$ from $10\text{to}25\lambda ∕\mathrm{D}$ in visible light on the Extreme Adaptive Optics testbed, using a shaped pupil for diffraction suppression. The testbed was designed with a minimal number of high-quality optics to ensure low wavefront error and uses a phase-shifting diffraction interferometer for metrology. This level of contrast is within the regime needed for imaging young Jupiter-like planets, a primary application of high-contrast imaging. We have concluded that wavefront error, not pupil quality, is the limiting error source for improved contrast in our system.

© 2006 Optical Society of America

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