Setup and performance of focal-plane characterization benches for high precision astrometry
Abstract
Detecting Earth-like exoplanets requires micro-arcsecond astrometry, which relies on a precisely calibrated focal plane equipped with high-resolution detectors. Accurate calibration depends on characterizing detector imperfections and systematic effects. Optical benches have been developed to assess the sensor's behavior: an integrating-sphere setup for electro-optical parameters, an interferometric bench for pixel-level geometry, and a star-field projection system for intrinsic distortion. This work presents the characterization benches built for a 46-Megapixels (MP) imaging sensor, based on the same technology as the four 220-MP detectors foreseen for the final focal-plane, and the performance metrics obtained from these setups in the context of NASA's HWO and ESA's M-class missions. Upgrades will bring the test environment closer to operational conditions: a second 46-MP sensor will be added for multi-detector tests, plus an adjustable-angle fringeprojection system and improved alignment.
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BibTeX
@misc{pancher2026setup,
title = {{Setup and performance of focal-plane characterization benches for high precision astrometry}},
author = {Fabrice Pancher and Sebastien Soler and Fabien Malbet and Hugo Rousset and Manon Lizzana and Alain Leger and Thierry Lépine and Florence Ardellier-Desages and Jerôme Amiaux and Pierre-Olivier Lagage},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.15682},
eprint = {2609.15682},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.15682},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Setup and performance of focal-plane characterization benches for high precision astrometry
AU - Fabrice Pancher
AU - Sebastien Soler
AU - Fabien Malbet
AU - Hugo Rousset
AU - Manon Lizzana
AU - Alain Leger
AU - Thierry L{é}pine
AU - Florence Ardellier-Desages
AU - Jer{ô}me Amiaux
AU - Pierre-Olivier Lagage
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/14
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.15682
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.15682
AB - Detecting Earth-like exoplanets requires micro-arcsecond astrometry, which relies on a precisely calibrated focal plane equipped with high-resolution detectors. Accurate calibration depends on characterizing detector imperfections and systematic effects. Optical benches have been developed to assess the sensor's behavior: an integrating-sphere setup for electro-optical parameters, an interferometric bench for pixel-level geometry, and a star-field projection system for intrinsic distortion. This work presents the characterization benches built for a 46-Megapixels (MP) imaging sensor, based on the same technology as the four 220-MP detectors foreseen for the final focal-plane, and the performance metrics obtained from these setups in the context of NASA's HWO and ESA's M-class missions. Upgrades will bring the test environment closer to operational conditions: a second 46-MP sensor will be added for multi-detector tests, plus an adjustable-angle fringeprojection system and improved alignment.
ER -