Title: Performance and sensitivity of vortex coronagraphs on segmented space telescopes,
Abstract: The detection of molecular species in the atmospheres of earth-like
exoplanets orbiting nearby stars requires an optical system that suppresses
starlight and maximizes the sensitivity to the weak planet signals at small
angular separations. Achieving sufficient contrast performance on a segmented
aperture space telescope is particularly challenging due to unwanted
diffraction within the telescope from amplitude and phase discontinuities in
the pupil. Apodized vortex coronagraphs are a promising solution that
theoretically meet the performance needs for high contrast imaging with future
segmented space telescopes. We investigate the sensitivity of apodized vortex
coronagraphs to the expected aberrations, including segment co-phasing errors
in piston and tip/tilt as well as other low-order and mid-spatial frequency
aberrations. Coronagraph designs and their associated telescope requirements
are identified for conceptual HabEx and LUVOIR telescope designs.