Calibrating Roman’s Coronagraphic Imaging and Polarimetry Modes

Max Millar-Blanchaer / University of California – Santa Barbara, PI

The Roman Space Telescope Coronagraphic imaging modes promise to demonstrate exciting new technologies that will set the stage for NASA’s next great observatory, the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Achieving both the baseline requirements and meeting the “best-effort” goals will require careful target selection and a sophisticated calibration program. Here we propose a Roman Coronagraph Community Participation Program contribution that will cover four main aspects of the call for proposals: B, E, F, H and I. Our team will focus on the development of detailed calibration simulations, calibration analysis toolkits, and the development of software for applying calibrations to in-flight calibration data. These tasks will be critical for the successful achievement of the primary TTRL5 mission success requirement. A second major component of our proposed program will be to focus on Roman’s polarimetry mode. The Roman polarimetry mode will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate high contrast polarimetry at contrasts that are not achievable from the ground, opening the doors to future polarimetric studies of not only disks, but planets as well. We will develop a polarimetric commissioning and calibration plan, complete with image processing analysis software. Calibration target vetting and precursor observations for the polarimetry mode will be included where necessary. Our team brings a breadth of experience in the commissioning, characterization, calibration and use of both ground-based and space-based high contrast imaging instruments. Furthermore, the PI is an expert in the calibration and use of high-contrast polarimetric instrumentation. Given the breadth of expertise and experience of our team, should the project need our efforts to focus on other topical areas or should resources prevent a focus on the polarimetry mode, there are many other topical areas the team is interested in.