Back to Search Start Over

Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a low-complexity low-cost space mission for high-resolution astronomy and direct exoplanet detection

Authors :
Mather, John C.
MacEwen, Howard A.
de Graauw, Mattheus W. M.
Barry, R. K.
Danchi, W. C.
Deming, L. D.
Richardson, L. J.
Kuchner, M. J.
Seager, S.
Frey, B. J.
Martino, A. J.
Lee, K. A.
Zuray, M.
Rajagopal, J.
Hyde, T. T.
Millan-Gabet, R.
Monnier, J. D.
Allen, R. J.
Traub, W. A.
Mather, John C.
MacEwen, Howard A.
de Graauw, Mattheus W. M.
Barry, R. K.
Danchi, W. C.
Deming, L. D.
Richardson, L. J.
Kuchner, M. J.
Seager, S.
Frey, B. J.
Martino, A. J.
Lee, K. A.
Zuray, M.
Rajagopal, J.
Hyde, T. T.
Millan-Gabet, R.
Monnier, J. D.
Allen, R. J.
Traub, W. A.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) is a mission concept for a spacecraft-borne nulling interferometer for high-resolution astronomy and the direct detection of exoplanets and assay of their environments and atmospheres. FKSI is a high angular resolution system operating in the near to mid-infrared spectral region and is a scientific and technological pathfinder to the Darwin and Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) missions. The instrument is configured with an optical system consisting, depending on configuration, of two 0.5 - 1.0 m telescopes on a 12.5 - 20 m boom feeding a symmetric, dual Mach- Zehnder beam combiner. We report on progress on our nulling testbed including the design of an optical pathlength null-tracking control system and development of a testing regime for hollow-core fiber waveguides proposed for use in wavefront cleanup. We also report results of integrated simulation studies of the planet detection performance of FKSI and results from an in-depth control system and residual optical pathlength jitter analysis.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
application/pdf, Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a low-complexity low-cost space mission for high-resolution astronomy and direct exoplanet detection, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1080552337
Document Type :
Electronic Resource