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| Paper: |
Candidate VLTI Configurations for the GENIE Nulling Experiment |
| Volume: |
294, Scientific Frontiers in Research on Extrasolar Planets |
| Page: |
557 |
| Authors: |
Absil, O.; Gondoin, P.; Erd, C.; Fridlund, M.; den Hartog, R.; Labadie, L.; Rando, N. |
| Abstract: |
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO) initiate a definition study for a Ground-based European Nulling Interferometer Experiment (Darwin-GENIE). The experiment will use the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) operating on Mount Paranal (Chile). The objective of GENIE is to gain experience in the manufacture and operation of a nulling interferometer using a design concept and technology representative of the ESA IRSI-Darwin space mission. GENIE will prepare the IRSI-Darwin science program through a systematic search for exozodiacal dust clouds around IRSI-Darwin candidate targets. GENIE also aims to perform IRSI-Darwin related science achievable from ground including the detection of low-mass companions (if possible, hot jupiters) around nearby stars. Among the variety of telescope sizes and positions on the VLTI site, candidate interferometric configurations have been identified for GENIE, taking into account the limitation imposed by the Earth's atmosphere. They include a Bracewell interferometer for exozodiacal clouds detection in the N band and a double Bracewell configuration with internal modulation for extrasolar jupiter detection in the L' band. The present paper presents the prospective performance of these configurations in light of current specifications of major VLTI subsystems. |
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