Next Generation Vector Vortex Waveplates for Astronomical Coronagraphs

Vector vortex waveplates (VVWs) are highly promising technology enabling astronomical coronagraph masks for exoplanet imaging and characterization. Currently, the technology basics are well known, and there have been successful demonstrations of VVWs meeting several key operational requirements. The next generation of VVWs under development will make it possible to extend their spectral range of performance into infrared, further increase the contrast using novel materials, and would improve manufacturing to reduce cost. Yield and quality will be increased by eliminating internal and external sources of structural non-uniformities and defects and by employing novel minimally invasive manufacturing processes. Novel designs and device architectures to be developed in the Phase 2 of the project are intended to improve performance of VVWs to the levels that would not require polarization filtering thus increasing the throughput nearly twice. High contrast liquid crystal polymer broadband reflective VVWs to be developed wherein geometrical phase is insensitive to retardation would allow novel coronagraph architectures while minimizing dependence on process conditions and simplifying manufacturing. Furthermore, the next generation VVWs would allow reducing size and weight of coronagraphs by integrating VVW technology with other planar optics functions.