This master thesis is dedicated to the optical design of an elementary spacebased
interferometer for the detection and characterisation of exoplanets. More precisely, this work …

Over the last few decades, the use of photonic fibers and waveguides in astronomical
instrumentation has grown substantially. This paper provides a summary of the driving …

Two competitive design studies for the Ground-based European Nulling Interferometer
Experiment (GENIE) have been initiated by the European Space Agency and the European …

Researches have suggested several techniques (ie.: pupil masking, coronography, nulling
interferometry) for high contrast imaging that permit the direct detection and characterization …

Feedhorns like those commonly used in radio-telescope and radio communication
equipment couple very efficiently (> 98%) to the fundamental Gaussian mode (TEM00). High …

To detect earth-like planets orbiting around solar-type stars in the mid-infrared spectral
range, a typical rejection ratio of 10 6 of the stellar flux must be achieved. Space missions …

Optical fibers are of a great importance in diverse areas of modern observational astronomy.
Particularly, in the field of exoplanet detection, they have become an essential part of most …

This chapter is a top level treatment of system level considerations concerning high-contrast
imaging coronagraphy from various approaches. Considerations include target properties …

Stellar nulling interferometry offers the possibility of direct imaging of extrasolar planets
necessary for the detection of extra-terrestrial life. Achieving optimum performance from the …

The DARWIN mission is a project of the European Space Agency that should allow around
2012 the search for extrasolar planets and a spectral analysis of their potential atmosphere …