arXiv subjects

Samuel Ronayette

Publications and source records attributed to Samuel Ronayette.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Upgrading LBTI/NOMIC with a quadruple annular groove phase mask and GeoSnap detector for imaging nearby, habitable-zone exoplanets

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI)'s Nulling-Optimized Mid-Infrared Camera (NOMIC) is among the most capable thermal-infrared imaging systems available for high-contrast, high-angular-resolution astronomical observations. Here we describe two in-progress upgrades to LBTI/NOMIC: (1) the design, fabrication, and installation of a quadruple annular groove phase mask (Q-AGPM) coronagraph, and (2) the installation of a 13 micron-cutoff Teledyne GeoSnap array. The Q-AGPM is the first coronagraph to be installed within NOMIC and one of the first optimized for N-band (~11 micron) observations. It places four annular groove phase masks on a single diamond substrate so that, in the LBTI dual-aperture imaging mode, each of the two telescope beams can be chopped between a pair of masks without loss of observing efficiency. The GeoSnap array will replace NOMIC's original AQUARIUS array, delivering higher quantum efficiency, larger well depth, faster and more linear readout, and freedom from the excess low-frequency noise that requires aggressive chopping. Together these upgrades substantially improve the achievable contrast and sensitivity at small angular separations. We also present a high-contrast Fizeau imaging sequence obtained with LBTI's new FFTCam fringe tracker, which confirms the interferometric gain over a single aperture through injection/recovery tests: relative to an equal-time single aperture exposure, the S/N = 3 contrast is a factor of ~2-4 deeper across 0.2-1 arcsec, spanning the contrast- and background-limited regimes. Finally, we describe the role of the upgraded LBTI/NOMIC instrument within the Breakthrough Watch program at the University of Arizona, which aims to perform the deepest observations yet of the habitable zones of the nearest single Sun-like stars.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

The IRT Telescope on board the THESEUS mission

We present the Infra-Red Telescope (IRT), which is part of the payload of the THESEUS mission, one on the three phase A candidate missions for the M7 slot of ESA (launch date 2037). The IRT is a 0.7 m class telescope with an off-axis Korsch optical design, with imaging capabilities in the 0.7-1.8 microns range over a 15 x 15 arc min field of view. The IRT also provides slit-less low resolution spectroscopy (R~400) over a limited field of view of 2 x 2 arc min, in the 0.8-1.6 microns range. The goal of the IRT is to identify the near infrared counterparts to the Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) detected by the two other telescopes on board THESEUS (the XGIS and the SXI), and to measure on board its photometric redshift in near real-time. The position and the redshift will be transmitted immediately to ground to allow for deeper follow-up by the large telescopes (ELT, VLT, ...). If the source is bright enough, spectroscopy will be performed to characterize the GRB environment.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

System Analysis for a high-precision high-accuracy Astrometric instrument for HWO

This study presents a comprehensive system analysis for an instrument onboard the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), designed for high-precision, high-accuracy differential astrometry, with the primary scientific goal to determine the mass of Earth-like planets around the nearest Sun-like stars. The analysis integrates the definition of the mission profile, the instrumental concept architecture, and an error budget that breaks down the key contributors to the sub-micro arcses precision required for a single measurement. A portion of this budget addresses photo-center estimation for both the target and calibration stars used in differential astrometry. Other major contributors are related to instrumental control of systematics in the reconstruction of differential angle measurements from pixel data (focal plane calibration) to on sky line of sight (telescope distortion calibration). End-of-mission astrometry requires multiple observations (typically 100) of the same target distributed over the mission lifetime. We assess the mission profile to estimate the fraction of survey time required for astrometric survey to achieve the science objective. The proposed architecture of the instrument concept is derived from error budget and mission constraints based on a large visible detector array composed of an assembly of multiple CMOS sensor chips resulting in an overall gigapixel focal plane. We evaluate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and propose a way forward reaching TRL 5 level for key technologies by the Mission Consolidation Review in 2029.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

MIRAC-5 on the MMT with MAPS: annular groove phase mask N-band coronagraphic upgrade

We describe the coronagraphic upgrade underway for the Mid-Infrared Array Camera-5 (MIRAC-5) to be used with the 6.5-m MMT telescope utilizing the new MMT Adaptive optics exoPlanet characterization System (MAPS). Mid-IR ground-based coronagraphic adaptive-optics-assisted imaging can be a powerful tool for characterizing exoplanet atmospheres and studying protoplanets in formation within circumstellar disks around young stars. In addition to enabling ground-based observations of bright targets in the background limit, high actuator density 1-2 kHz adaptive optics systems can be competitive with JWST in the contrast limit. We have procured an annular groove phase mask (AGPM) and performed preliminary characterization of its on-axis source rejection as a function of wavelength. We present an optimized Lyot Stop design for use with the AGPM using the High-contrast End-to-End Performance Simulator (HEEPS). Future work includes implementing the Quadrant Analysis of Coronagraphic Images for Tip-tilt Sensing (QACITS) control loop algorithm with MAPS. We present the system overview, pupil mask design, and expected performance metrics aligned with our scientific goals, building upon recent advances with MIRAC-5 (Bowens et al. 2025) and MAPS.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Super-resolution method using sparse regularization for point-spread function recovery

In large-scale spatial surveys, such as the forthcoming ESA Euclid mission, images may be undersampled due to the optical sensors sizes. Therefore, one may consider using a super-resolution (SR) method to recover aliased frequencies, prior to further analysis. This is particularly relevant for point-source images, which provide direct measurements of the instrument point-spread function (PSF). We introduce SPRITE, SParse Recovery of InsTrumental rEsponse, which is an SR algorithm using a sparse analysis prior. We show that such a prior provides significant improvements over existing methods, especially on low SNR PSFs.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2012

SPICES: Spectro-Polarimetric Imaging and Characterization of Exoplanetary Systems

SPICES (Spectro-Polarimetric Imaging and Characterization of Exoplanetary Systems) is a five-year M-class mission proposed to ESA Cosmic Vision. Its purpose is to image and characterize long-period extrasolar planets and circumstellar disks in the visible (450 - 900 nm) at a spectral resolution of about 40 using both spectroscopy and polarimetry. By 2020/22, present and near-term instruments will have found several tens of planets that SPICES will be able to observe and study in detail. Equipped with a 1.5 m telescope, SPICES can preferentially access exoplanets located at several AUs (0.5-10 AU) from nearby stars ($<$25 pc) with masses ranging from a few Jupiter masses to Super Earths ($\sim$2 Earth radii, $\sim$10 M$_{\oplus}$) as well as circumstellar disks as faint as a few times the zodiacal light in the Solar System.

astro-ph.IM↗