The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a practical interferometer for the detection and characterization of extrasolar giant planets

William C. Danchi; Ronald J. Allen; Dominic J. Benford; Drake Deming; Daniel Y. Gezari; Marc J. Kuchner; David T. Leisawitz; Roger P. Linfield; Rafael Millan-Gabet; John D. Monnier; Lee G. Mundy; Charley Noecker; Jayadev K. Rajagopal; L. J. Richardson; Stephen A. Rinehart; Sara Seager; Wesley Arthur Traub; Debra J. Wallace

doi:10.1117/12.552077

20 October 2004 The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a practical interferometer for the detection and characterization of extrasolar giant planets

William C. Danchi, Ronald J. Allen, Dominic J. Benford, Drake Deming, Daniel Y. Gezari, Marc J. Kuchner, David T. Leisawitz, Roger P. Linfield, Rafael Millan-Gabet, John D. Monnier, Lee G. Mundy, Charley Noecker, Jayadev K. Rajagopal, L. J. Richardson, Stephen A. Rinehart, Sara Seager, Wesley Arthur Traub, Debra J. Wallace

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5491, New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552077
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) is a mission concept for a nulling interferometer for the near-to-mid-infrared spectral region (3-8µm). FKSI is conceived as a scientific and technological precursor to TPF. The scientific emphasis of the mission is on the evolution of protostellar systems, from just after the collapse of the precursor molecular cloud core, through the formation of the disk surrounding the protostar, the formation of planets in the disk, and eventual dispersal of the disk material. FKSI will answer key questions about extrasolar planets: Σ What are the characteristics of the known extrasolar giant planets? Σ What are the characteristics of the extrasolar zodiacal clouds around nearby stars? Σ Are there giant planets around classes of stars other than those already studied? We present preliminary results of a detailed design study of the FKSI. Using a nulling interferometer configuration, the optical system consists of two 0.5m telescopes on a 12.5m boom feeding a Mach-Zender beam combiner with a fiber wavefront error reducer to produce a 0.01% null of the central starlight. With this system, planets around nearby stars can be detected and characterized using a combination of spectral and spatial resolution.

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William C. Danchi, Ronald J. Allen, Dominic J. Benford, Drake Deming, Daniel Y. Gezari, Marc J. Kuchner, David T. Leisawitz, Roger P. Linfield, Rafael Millan-Gabet, John D. Monnier, Lee G. Mundy, Charley Noecker, Jayadev K. Rajagopal, L. J. Richardson, Stephen A. Rinehart, Sara Seager, Wesley Arthur Traub, and Debra J. Wallace "The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a practical interferometer for the detection and characterization of extrasolar giant planets", Proc. SPIE 5491, New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry, (20 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552077

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