Example of 6-σ detection limits reached for a K = 4.7 mag A0V star at 52.7 pc (HD 2834) using direct imaging (left panel) and coronagraphy (middle panel). Detection limits for the direct and coronagraphic image are given in 2 × 2 and 6 × 6 arcsec² fields around the star, respectively. The hatched area on the coronagraphic image represents the occulting mask with a diameter of 0″̣7. Classic 1-dimensional 6-σ detection limits (right panel) are extracted from the direct image detection limit map (plain line) and the coronagraphy detection limit map (dotted line) as explained in Sect. 4.3. Mass limits (red lines) are obtained by interpolating Baraffe et al.’s (1998) evolutionary model for a given stellar age (here, 700 Myr).