title: Experimental verification of an optical vortex coronagraph.
abstract: A coronagraph designed for high contrast imaging applications has been experimentally tested using coherent laser light and a vortex mask of topological charge m=2. Intensity contrast values of 95% were achieved in this first verification of the scheme. Improvements for approaching the theoretical value of 100% are suggested.
authors.affiliation: College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors.forename: Jae Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Grover A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Swartzlander