Document Astronomy with High Contrast Imaging II
C. Aime and R. Soummer (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 12 (2004) 215-234
DOI: 10.1051/eas:2004035
Nulling Interferometry: from the Bracewell scheme to the ESA-Darwin mission
Y. RabbiaObservatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Dpt. Gemini, UMR CNRS 6203, Av. Copernic, 06130 Grasse, France
Abstract
This paper aims at describing (broad lines) the various instrumental concepts for nulling interferometry and how some observational
constraints have driven the evolution from the initial Bracewell configuration to the ESA-Darwin mission configuration. Before
this short overview, basic principles of interferometry and of nulling interferometry are recalled. Since a key point in the
nulling mode is to insert achromatic phase shifts between interfering waves, a short description of several Achromatic Phase
Shifters concepts is given as well as the associated constraints.
© EAS, EDP Sciences 2004