Planet finder on the VLT: Context, goals and critical specifications for adaptive optics

ESO offers the opportunity to install a new (second generation) instrumentation on 8-m telescopes before 2010, for a wide community. We, as a consortium, argue that it is possible to develop a high contrast imager that will improve significantly or will complement current and forthcoming instruments. This project would benefit a interesting number of astrophysical issues; it will also prepare later more ambitious ground-based imagers or space-based high contrast instruments. The limitations of the turbulence are severe and demand very performant adaptive optics. This critical question is addressed specifically.