RESUMO
We present a three-telescope space-based interferometer prototype dedicated to high-resolution imaging. This project, named multiaperture fiber-linked interferometer (MAFL), was founded by the European Space Agency. The aim of the MAFL project is to propose, design, and implement for the first time to the best of our knowledge all the optical functions required for the global instrument on the same integrated optics (IO) component for controlling a three-arm interferometer and to obtain reliable science data. The coherent transport from telescopes to the IO component is achieved by means of highly birefringent optical fiber. The laboratory bench is presented, and the results are reported allowing us to validate the optical potentiality of the IO component in this frame. The validation measurements consist of the throughput of this optical device, the performances of metrological servoloop, and the instrumental contrasts and phase closure of the science fringes.
RESUMO
In the area of long-baseline nulling interferometry, high rejection ratios are needed to cancel out the light of a bright central source and look for nearby faint structures or companions. These rejection requirements directly translate into drastic optical constraints. We discuss the possibility of using single-mode waveguides for such applications. Conversely to simple pinholes, single-mode waveguides efficiently correct wave-front defects of both high- and low-order spatial frequencies, ensure a perfect matching of the amplitude profiles coming from the various beams, and can be used with almost optimum coupling efficiency over a broad optical bandpass (typically an octave). They then appear to greatly enhance the feasibility of high-dynamic interferometric coronagraphs.