Nulling interferometric breadboard using integrated optics beam combiners, preparation to the IRSI/DARWIN mission

Haguenauer, Pierre; Barillot, Marc; Kern, P.; Schanen-Duport, Isabelle; Collomb, Virginie; Labeye, P.; Poupinet, A.; Weber, V. L.; Sodnik, Zoran; Kervella, P.

doi:10.1117/12.458538

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Development of materials (e.g., lithium niobate) and fabrication processes that can extend the coverage into the thermal infrared (1-5µm) would mean that a general purpose interferometer could be built around an integrated optics combiner. Work is currently underway in Europe towards this end, in particular in pursuit of mid-infrared nulling capabilities for the ESA IRSI-Darwin mission (Haguenauer and others, 2002).…”

Section: Optical Very Large Arraymentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical interferometry in astronomy

2003

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Abstract. Here I review the current state of the field of optical stellar interferometry, concentrating on ground-based work although a brief report of space interferometry missions is included. We pause both to reflect on decades of immense progress in the field as well as to prepare for a new generation of large interferometers just now being commissioned (most notably, the CHARA, Keck and VLT Interferometers). First, this review summarizes the basic principles behind stellar interferometry needed by the lay-physicist and general astronomer to understand the scientific potential as well as technical challenges of interferometry. Next, the basic design principles of practical interferometers are discussed, using the experience of past and existing facilities to illustrate important points. Here there is significant discussion of current trends in the field, including the new facilities under construction and advanced technologies being debuted. This decade has seen the influence of stellar interferometry extend beyond classical regimes of stellar diameters and binary orbits to new areas such as mapping the accretion disks around young stars, novel calibration of the Cepheid Period-Luminosity relation, and imaging of stellar surfaces. The third section is devoted to the major scientific results from interferometry, grouped into natural categories reflecting these current developments. Lastly, I consider the future of interferometry, highlighting the kinds of new science promised by the interferometers coming on-line in the next few years. I also discuss the longer-term future of optical interferometry, including the prospects for space interferometry and the possibilities of large-scale ground-based projects. Critical technological developments are still needed to make these projects attractive and affordable. †

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Section: Optical Very Large Arraymentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical interferometry in astronomy

2003

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“…In depth simulations, design and characterization were also performed in the framework of the Darwin project. 15 Provided simulations shows the capability of guided optics to achieve spatial filtering according to the required specifications for nulling interferometry. 16 Two set of 2 telescope beam combiners were provided (IET and SET components), with an optimized design for their integration on a nulling interferometry bench.…”

Section: Laboratory Validations For Astronomical Interferometrymentioning

confidence: 98%

Increasing the imaging capabilities of the VLTI using integrated optics

Kern

Malbet²,

Berger

et al. 2003

SPIE Proceedings

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Several scientific topics linked to the observation of extended structures around astrophysical sources (dust torus around AGN, disks around young stars, envelopes around AGBs) require imaging capability with milli-arcsecond spatial resolution. The current VLTI instruments, AMBER and MIDI, will provide in the coming months the required high angular resolution, yet without actual imaging. As a rule of thumb, the image quality accessible with an optical interferometer is directly related to the number of telescopes used simultaneously: the more the apertures, the better and the faster the reconstruction of the image. We propose an instrumental concept to achieve interferometric combination of N telescopes (4 ≤ N ≤ 8) thanks to planar optics technology: 4 × 8-m telescopes in the short term and/or 8 × 1.8-m telescopes in the long term. The foreseen image reconstruction quality in the visible and/or in the near infrared will be equivalent to the one achieved with millimeter radio interferometers. Achievable spatial resolution will be better than the one foreseen with ALMA.This instrument would be able to acquire routinely 1 mas resolution images. A 13 to 20 magnitude sensitivity in spectral ranges from 0.6 to 2.5 µm is expected depending on the choice of the phase referencing guide source. High dynamic range, even on faint objects, is achievable thanks to the high accuracy provided by integrated optics for visibility amplitude and phase measurements. Based on recent validations of integrated optics presented here an imaging instrument concept can be proposed. The results obtained using the VLTI facilities give a demonstration of the potential of the proposed technique.

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Three telescope nuller based on multibeam injection into single-mode waveguide

Wallner

Armengol²,

Absil

2004

New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry

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Nulling interferometry of exo-solar planets requires as a minimum two telescopes, of which one is phase shifted by 180 degrees, such that the on-axis stellar object is cancelled, while the light from the off-axis planet interferes constructively. Improvement of the nulling performance and the introduction of chopping leads to space interferometers of four or more telescopes and a separate spacecraft dedicated to beam recombination, as currently baselined for Darwin and TPF.

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Nulling interferometric breadboard using integrated optics beam combiners, preparation to the IRSI/DARWIN mission

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Optical interferometry in astronomy

Optical interferometry in astronomy

Increasing the imaging capabilities of the VLTI using integrated optics

Three telescope nuller based on multibeam injection into single-mode waveguide

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