A planet finder for VLT .

In the framework of the 2 generation VLT instruments we have developed the design of an instrument, called CHEOPS, to detect and characterize faint objects (Jupiterlike planets) very close to a bright star. It consists of a high order adaptive optics system, at least an order of magnitude more sensitive in terms of giant planet detection with respect to the present VLT Adaptive Optics facility NACO plus Simultaneous Differential Imager. The adaptive optics system provides the necessary Strehl Ratio for the differential polarimetric imager (ZIMPOL) and an Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS).