What is optical vortex mask?Will this device will help astronomers to study planets beyond the sun?

Question

For many yearas now, many astronomers have wanted to view these planets directly beyond the sun. With naked telescope, this is a tough task. Viewing a planet next to a bright star like our solar systems own Sun is almost impossible. It' like trying to spot a lighted match held up next to a car's high beam.

Answer 1

An “optical vortex mask” is a thin, tiny, transparent glass chip that is etched with a series of steps in a pattern similar to a spiral staircase. It allows astronomers to cancel the surrounding starlight thus enabling them to better see the less luminous planets around other stars. For more information on how it works, click on the following link:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Glass_Chip_Cancels_Starlight_To_Reveal_Exoplanets.html