Novel designs for minimizing diffraction effects of large segmented mirror telescopes

Abstract

Diffraction effects of large segmented mirror gaps and secondary mirror support struts produce diffraction peaks or flares that are a detriment to exoplanet detection. In this paper we present a detailed diffraction analysis of innovative segmented mirror concepts utilizing curved segment gaps and secondary support struts that eliminate these diffraction spikes that can obscure the faint exoplanet image. The resulting diffraction performance will be quantitatively compared to that of both monolithic circular pupils and classical hexagonally segmented mirrors. We will utilize performance-based merit functions consisting of both radial and azimuthal profiles of the resulting telescope point spread function.

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