A lab proof-of-concept of an extrasolar planet detection using a rotationally shearing interferometer

More than 4000 planets beyond our solar system have been confirmed since 1995. Transit, radial velocity, microlensing, imaging, orbital brightness, timing variation, and optical detection are most common for exoplanet detection. Optical detection implies several challenges in selecting the proper wavelength range, the small angular resolution star-planet, and the extremely low SNR of the planet near the star. We propose lab proof-of-concept using a rotationally shearing interferometer. This approach includes enhancing the star-planet SNR by hybrid optical and electronic techniques with simulated planet-star signals. The planet's signal is modulated and then detected by a lock-in amplifier, and the rotational shearing interferometer performance cancels the star's signal.