Hi-5: A Potential High-Contrast Thermal Near-Infrared Imager for the VLTI

Defrere, D ; Ireland, M ; Absil, O ; Berger, J-P ; Danchi, WC ; Ertel, S ; Gallenne, A ; Henault, F ; Hinz, P ; Huby, E(Observatoire de Paris, Paris, France)

关键词: INTERFEROMETERS;    INFRARED RADIATION;    NEAR INFRARED RADIATION;    EXTRASOLAR PLANETS;    ZODIACAL DUST;    INTERPLANETARY DUST;    ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI;    CHARACTERIZATION;   

RP-ID  :  GSFC-E-DAA-TN64838

学科分类：天体物理学

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来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

Hi-5 is a high-contrast (or high dynamic range) infrared imager project for the VLTI. Its main goal is to characterize young extra-solar planetary systems and exozodiacal dust around southern main-sequence stars. In this paper, we present an update of the project and key technology pathways to improve the contrast achieved by the VLTI. In particular, we discuss the possibility to use integrated optics, proven in the near-infrared, in the thermal near-infrared (L and M bands, 3-5 μm) and advanced fringe tracking strategies. We also address the strong exoplanet science case (young exoplanets, planet formation, and exozodiacal disks) offered by this wavelength regime as well as other possible science cases such as stellar physics (fundamental parameters and multiplicity) and extragalactic astrophysics (active galactic nuclei and fundamental constants). Synergies and scientific preparation for other potential future instruments such as the Planet Formation Imager are also briefly discussed.