The Power of Optical/IR Interferometry: Recent Scientific Results and 2nd Generation Instrumentation (eBook)

Preface 5
Contents 7
List of Contributors 19
The Power of Optical/IR Interferometry 30
1 Introduction 30
2 A few examples of current results 31
3 Near future possibilities 33
4 Far future possibilities 35
References 36
The Early Days of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer 38
1 1974-1987: a dream takes shape 38
2 The VLTI conception: hot issues (1981-1987) 41
3 Parallel developments of interferometers (1974-1987) 45
4 From 1987 to present, a success story 47
5 A few lessons for the future 48
References 49
1988–1993: The Final Definition of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, its Site and Configuration 51
1 Introduction 51
2 Why a Homothetic Beam Combiner with an 8 arcsecond FOV? 52
3 What is the VLTI Blind Operation Concept? 53
4 My View for the Future Use and Development of the VLTI. 55
References 55
Science: Stars — stellar diameters, limb darkening, flattening, surface structures 57
Stellar Diameters: Breaking the Barriers 58
1 Introduction 58
2 Three fundamental questions 59
3 Statistics of available angular diameters 60
4 Moving ahead 65
References 69
Imaging the Effects of Rotation in Altair and Vega 70
1 Introduction: Rotation Among Early-Type Stars 70
2 Interferometry and Closure Phases 71
3 Altair 73
4 Vega 78
References 80
Rapid Rotation across the HR Diagram with VLTI: Achernar and Altair 82
1 Introduction 82
2 Observations and results 82
H band 85
K band 85
3 Conclusions and perspectives 85
References 86
Multi-Wavelength Interferometry of Evolved Stars Using VLTI and VLBA 87
1 Introduction 87
2 The atmospheric structure of non-Mira giants 90
3 The atmospheric structure of Mira giants 92
4 Joint VLTI/VLBA observations of the Mira star SOri 93
5 Outlook 95
References 96
Limb Darkening: Getting Warmer 97
1 Procyon: Limb Darkening and Convection 97
2 Deneb: Mass Loss and Asymmetry 102
3 Rigel: A Larger Diameter and Limb Darkening 104
4 Limb Darkening: Getting Warmer 105
References 107
Cepheid Distances from Interferometry 109
1 Introduction 109
2 Existing Galactic Cepheid distances 110
3 The interferometric Baade-Wesselink (IBW) method 110
4 VINCI observations 113
5 P–L, P–R and surface brightness-color relations 114
6 Prospects on direct Cepheid distances 117
7 An ideal interferometer for Cepheids ? 119
8 Conclusion 119
References 120
The K-Band Intensity Profile of R Leonis Probed by VLTI/ VINCI 121
1 Introduction 121
2 Observations 122
3 Comparison with models 122
4 Conclusions 122
References 124
Cepheids Observations Using CHARA/ FLUOR : a UMi and d Cep 125
1 Cepheid distance measurements using the Interferometric Baade- Wesselink Method 125
2 a UMi and its visibility profile 126
3 The pulsation of d Cep 128
4 Conclusion 129
References 129
Cepheid Observations with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer: Carinae and ß Doradus 130
1 Introduction 130
2 Observations 130
3 Analysis 131
4 Car 132
5 ß Dor 133
6 Summary 133
References 134
The Circumstellar Environment of Evolved Stars as seen by VLTI/ MIDI 135
1 Introduction 135
2 MIDI and VINCI observations 136
3 Modeling of the observed N-band and K-band visibilities 137
4 Concluding remarks 139
References 139
Science: Stars — circumstellar matter, IR objects 140
Evolved Stars: Interferometer Baby Food or Staple Diet? 141
1 Introduction 141
2 Historical overview: interferometric studies of circumstellar material 142
3 Present and Future prospects 147
4 Conclusions 150
References 150
Eta Car through the Eyes of Interferometers 153
1 Introduction 153
2 NACO observations: the inner dusty nebula 155
3 VINCI observations: the evidence for rotation 157
4 MIDI observations: dusty clumps, everywhere! 159
5 AMBER observations: revealing the binary? 161
References 163
The Ejecta of Eta Carinae: What we have Learned from Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Ultraviolet Echelle Spectrograph 164
1 Introduction 164
2 Recent Observations 165
3 Outer Ejecta: Homunculus and Little Homunculus 166
4 The Central Region 167
5 What VLT and VLTI could do 169
6 Conclusions 171
References 172
First AMBER/VLTI Observations of Hot Massive Stars 173
1 Introduction 173
2 AMBER observations 175
3 TheWolf Rayet star .2 Velorum 175
4 The Luminous Blue Variable . Carinae 178
5 Conclusion 181
References 181
Mineralogy of Circumstellar Dust 182
1 Introduction 182
2 Infrared diagnostics of dust 182
3 Dust in proto-planetary disks 184
4 Dust in evolved stars 188
5 Conclusions 191
References 191
First Evidence for a Spatially Resolved Disk Structure around the Herbig Ae Star R CrA 193
1 Introduction 193
2 Observations and Calibration 194
3 Evidence for an inclined disk structure 194
References 197
The Chaotic Winds of AGB Stars: Observation Meets Theory 198
1 Introduction 198
2 The Model 198
3 Results 199
4 Conclusions 202
References 202
Observations of 51 Ophiuchi with MIDI at the VLTI 203
1 Introduction 203
2 Observations and Data Reduction 204
3 Results 205
4 Discussion 207
5 Conclusions 207
References 207
Mid-Infrared Spectrally-Dispersed Visibilities of Massive Stars Observed with the MIDI Instrument on the VLTI 208
1 Introduction 208
2 Binarity in Massive Stars 209
3 Keck and IOTA Interferometer Observations of Wolf- Rayet Stars 210
4 VLTI Observations of WR 95 and WR 122 210
5 Conclusions 212
References 212
The B[e] Star Hen 3-1191 Resolved with MIDI 214
1 Introduction 214
2 Observation and data reduction 215
3 Modelling of the circumstellar environment 216
4 The nature of Hen 3-1191 217
5 Conclusion & perspective
References 218
Science: Stars — binaries and multiples 219
Binaries: A Main Staple of Interferometry 220
1 Introduction and outline 220
2 Challenges and achievements 222
3 Encounters with theory 222
4 Footprints in the HR diagram 223
5 Advanced modeling 224
6 Multiple systems and the hierarchical model 224
7 Interferometric imaging 225
8 Conclusions and future challenges 226
References 227
Protoplanetary Disks as seen by Interferometry 229
1 Introduction 229
2 Models of disks are currently based on the SED 230
3 Planetary Forming Regions: new constraints provided by NIR and MID interferometry 231
4 MID interferometry: Mineralogy of the Inner Disk 234
5 Multi-wavelengths interferometry: AB Auriga case 234
6 Summary 237
References 237
Pre-Main Sequence Binaries: The Promise of IR Interferometry 239
1 The Problem 239
2 The Promise of IR Interferometry 241
3 Good Targets are Hard to Find 243
4 Truth in Advertising 244
References 245
Observations of Young Stellar Objects with Infrared Interferometry: Recent Results from PTI, KI and IOTA 246
1 Introduction 246
2 KI, PTI and IOTA interferometers 247
3 Previous near-infrared interferometry results 247
4 New results 248
5 Conclusions 251
References 252
FU Orionis - The MIDI Perspective 253
1 Introduction 253
2 The Acquisition Image 254
3 The Spectrum 255
4 The Visibility Measurements 256
References 257
VLTI MIDI Observations of the Herbig Ae Star HR 5999 258
1 Introduction 258
2 Observations and data analysis 259
3 Results 259
4 Discussion 261
References 262
Disentangling the Wind and the Disk in the Close Surrounding of the Young Stellar Object MWC297 with AMBER/ VLTI 263
1 Introduction 263
2 Observations 264
3 Modeling 264
4 Discussion 267
5 Conclusion 268
References 269
Interferometry of M8E-IR with MIDI - Resolving the Dust Emission 271
1 Introduction 271
2 Observations and Data Reduction 272
3 Results 272
4 Modelling 273
5 Discussion 274
6 Conclusion 275
References 275
Observing T Tauri Stars in the Mid-Infrared with MIDI 276
1 The Origin of the Silicate Features 276
2 The Geometry of a Close Binary 277
3 The Triple System T Tauri 279
4 The Next Steps 280
References 280
Keck Interferometer Observations of the Young Spectroscopic Binary Haro 1- 14c 281
1 Introduction 281
2 Observations and Data Analysis 282
3 Discussion and Future Prospects 283
References 285
Preliminary Physical Orbit of the HD 98800 B System 286
1 Introduction 286
2 Observations and Orbit Estimation 287
3 Physical Parameters of the HD 98800 B Subsystem 289
4 Comparison With PMS Evolutionary Models 289
References 290
Science: Stars — Galactic centre, AGNs, astrometry, exo- planets and future targets 291
Resolving the Dusty Tori in AGN with the VLT Interferometer 292
1 Dusty Tori in AGN: what do we expect ? 292
2 Scientific questions to be answered by interferometry 294
3 First case study: the torus in NGC1068 295
4 The MIDI guaranteed time program on AGN 297
5 First conclusions 301
6 Future interferometric insight into the cores of AGN 302
References 303
A New Analysis of MIDI Observations of the Nucleus of NGC 1068 304
1 Introduction 304
2 Different steps in data modeling 305
3 Results 306
4 Discussion 307
References 308
IRS 3 - The Brightest Compact MIR Source in the Galactic Center 309
References 314
Scientific Prospects for VLTI in the Galactic Centre: Getting to the Schwarzschild Radius 315
1 Introduction 315
2 Probing stellar dynamics in the relativistic regime 316
3 Astrometry of flares 318
References 319
Beyond the VLTI 320
1 Introdution: The VLTI and Beyond 320
2 ELSA: A Strawman Concept for an Extremely Large Synthesis Array 321
3 Science with a Next-Generation Array 321
4 Key Technologies for ELSA 322
5 Site Selection 323
References 324
The Power of Optical and Infrared Interferometry - From Dreams to Reality 326
Instrumentation: Concepts for future interferometric fringe tracking 329
Multiple Beam Fringe Tracking at VLTI 330
1 Introduction 330
2 Atmospheric limitations 331
3 Beam combination 332
4 Conclusions 334
References 334
Multiple-beam Fringe Tracking for the VLTI 335
1 Multiple-beam fringe tracking at VLTI 335
2 Solutions for multiple-beam fringe sensing 336
3 Experimental results on the BRISE bench 337
4 Conclusion 338
References 339
Instrumentation: 2nd Generation Instrumentation for the VLTI – Proposals 340
APerture Synthesis in the MID-Infrared with the VLTI 341
1 Science cases 342
2 Description of the APreS-MIDI instrument 347
References 351
VITRUV - Imaging Close Environments of Stars and Galaxies with the VLTI at Milli- Arcsec Resolution 353
1 Introduction 353
2 Science objectives 354
3 VITRUV concept 359
4 VITRUV within the VLTI infrastructure 362
5 Expected performances 362
6 Project management 363
References 364
VIDA: A Direct Spectro-Imager for the VLTI 366
1 Introduction 366
2 General description of the instrument 366
3 Science Cases 369
4 High-level requirements 369
5 Concept analysis 371
6 Performances 374
7 R& D plan and schedule
8 Conclusion 377
References 377
UVES-I: Interferometric High-Resolution Spectroscopy 378
1 Introduction 378
2 Scientific Case 379
3 Instrument and Infrastructure 382
4 Performance 386
5 Conclusion 388
References 389
VEGA: A Visible Spectrograph and Polarimeter for the VLTI 390
1 Introduction 390
2 Science drivers for a visible VLTI instrument 391
3 Technical description of the proposition 394
4 Performances 398
5 Conclusions 400
References 401
BOBCAT - A Photon-efficient Multi-way Combiner for the VLTI 402
1 Science case 402
2 Derived top-level requirements for imaging 403
3 BOBCAT concept description 406
4 Performance 409
5 Conclusions 413
Near-Infrared Fiber Imager for the VLTI 414
1 Introduction 414
2 Science case(s) 415
3 Technology: Integrated Optics 418
4 Summary 422
References 422
GRAVITY: The AO-Assisted, Two-Object Beam- Combiner Instrument for the VLTI 425
1 Introduction 425
2 Scientific Justification 426
3 Top Level Requirements in the Context of the VLTI Facility 432
4 GRAVITY: Concept and Observing Modes 433
5 Key Components of GRAVITY 435
6 Conclusions 437
References 437
GENIE: a Ground-Based European Nulling Instrument at ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer 439
1 Introduction 440
2 GENIE objectives 440
3 GENIE design 441
4 GENIE performance 445
5 GENIE: a general user instrument 447
6 Conclusion 450
References 450
Instrumentation: Concepts for future interferometric instrumentation 451
Multiple Anamorphic Beam Combination 452
1 Various combination schemes 452
2 Matrix multiplication of beams. 453
3 Optical design and realisation 453
4 A few comparisons and perspectives 456
Reference 456
The Potential of IR-Heterodyne Spectroscopy 457
1 Introduction 457
2 Present experimental situation 459
3 Applications in interferometry 461
References 463
Posters — Science 464
Study of the Projection Factor to Break the Frontier of Accuracy in Cepheid Distance Determination 465
1 Scientific rationale 465
2 The impact of the projection factor 465
3 Conclusion 466
References 466
LMC Cepheids with the VLTI 467
1 Scientific rationale 467
2 Main characteristics of LMC cepheids 467
3 Observing strategy and estimation of performances 467
4 Conclusion 468
References 468
Evolutionary Modeling of Nearby Stars Using Asteroseismic and Interferometric Constraints 469
References 470
Diameter Determinations from VINCI Using Global Calibration Solutions 471
1 Solving for calibrations and fitting of visibilities 471
2 Reduced zero-baseline power 473
3 Observations past the first visibility null 473
Towards the Interferometric Imaging of Red Supergiants 474
Interferometric Aperture Synthesis of Altair: Gravity Darkening and Inclination Angle 476
1 Introduction and observations 476
2 Results 476
References 477
Spectroscopic and Interferometric Tests of Stellar Atmosphere Models: UVES and VINCI Measurements of the M- giant aCet 478
1 Comparison of the 478
models with observations 478
2 Summary, results and outlook 478
References 479
The Equatorial Disk at the Center of the Planetary Nebula CPD- 568032 480
1 Introduction 480
2 MIDI observations 481
References 481
First MIDI Observations of a Be Star: a Ara 482
References 483
Probing the Outer Atmosphere of Mira Variables and the Effects of Chemical Composition on the Mid- Infrared Visibility 484
1 Introduction 484
2 MIDI observations 484
Reference 485
Temporal Variation of the Warm Molecular Layers around the Mira Variable RR Sco Detected with the VLTI/ MIDI Instrument 486
1 Introduction 486
2 MIDI observations 486
References 487
N-Band Observation of the Silicate Carbon Star IRAS08002- 3803 ( Hen 38) with VLTI/ MIDI 488
1 Introduction 488
2 MIDI observations 488
References 489
Preparing Observations of p1 Gruis Dust Shell with the VLTI/ AMBER 490
1 Astrophysical context 490
2 Geometrical models of p1 Gru 490
3 Optimal configurations vs geometrical models 491
References 491
Interferometric Observations of the Mira Star o Ceti with the VLTI/ VINCI Instrument in the Near- Infrared 492
1 Observations 492
2 Results 493
References 493
High-Resolution Near-Infrared Speckle Interferometry and Radiative Transfer Modeling of the OH/ IR Star OH 104.9+2.4 494
1 Observations 494
2 Results 495
References 495
Mid-Infrared Long-Baseline Interferometry of the Symbiotic Mira Star RX Pup with the VLTI/ MIDI Instrument 496
1 Observations 496
2 Results 497
References 497
High-Resolution Near-Infrared Speckle Interferometry and Radiative Transfer Modeling of the OH/ IR Star OH 26.5+0.6 498
1 Observations 498
2 Results 499
References 499
Near-Infrared Keck Interferometer and IOTA Closure Phase Observations of Wolf- Rayet stars 500
1 Introduction 500
2 WR 140 501
3 WR 137 501
4 IOTA Data 502
References 503
The Shape of the Inner Rim in Proto- Planetary Disks 504
1 Introduction and Model 504
References 505
Dust and Winds from Evolved Stars 506
References 507
VV CrA - The Dusty Environment of an Infrared Companion 508
1 Properties of a Southern Binary 508
2 Interferometric Observations 509
3 Radiative Transfer Modelling 509
4 The Future 510
References 510
GENIE: High-Resolution Study of Debris Disks 511
1 Simulated observations of the dust disk around . Lep 511
2 Influence of the disk parameters on the nulling ratio 512
References 513
Circumstellar Structures around Herbig AeBe Stars: A Direct Interferometric Insight 514
References 515
Observations of Circumstellar Disks 516
1 Introduction 516
2 Detection of circumstellar gas 516
3 Results 516
References 517
Fundamental Parameters of Delta Velorum, a Quintuple Stellar System. 518
1 A nearby system (˜ 24pc) containing the brightest eclipsing binary in the sky: 518
2 VINCI and AMBER observations of the eclipsing binary Aa+ Ab: 518
References 519
VLTI/MIDI Measurements of Extended Mid- Infrared Emission in the Galactic Center 520
References 521
Impact of High Spectral Resolution on Stellar Interferometry 522
1 Introduction 522
2 Some applications 523
3 Conclusion 523
References 523
Deploying an Antarctic Interferometer 524
1 Introduction 524
2 Measurements and Design Results 524
References 525
Direct Detection of Exo-Planets: GQ Lupi 526
1 Introduction: GQ Lupi and its companion 526
2 Comparison with model atmospheres 526
3 Discussion: Mass estimate for the GQ Lup companion 527
References 528
Antarctic Interferometry: Science Demonstration from the Concordia Station 529
1 Introduction 529
2 An antarctic interferometer demonstrator 530
References 530
Color-Differential Interferometry with AMBER/ VLTI. Data Processing and Precision from Early Observations. 531
1 Data processing for color-differential observables 531
2 Results 531
3 Discussion 532
The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: A Progress Report and Preliminary Results from our Laboratory Testbed 533
1 Scientific Emphasis of the Mission 533
2 Design Realization 534
References 535
The PRIMA Astrometric Planet Search Project 536
1 Narrow-angle astrometry with the VLTI 536
2 Differential Delay Lines and Astrometric Software for PRIMA 537
3 The astrometric planet search program 537
Scientific Requirements for the Darwin Mission 539
1 High level scientific requirements of Darwin 539
2 Detailed scientific objectives and definitions 539
3 Number of planets required to constitute success 540
4 Spectral range 541
5 Baseline mission 541
Searching for Faint Companions with MIDI Colour Differential Phase Measurements 542
1 Introduction 542
2 Analysis and Results 542
3 Conclusions 543
Reference 543
Infrared Light Curves and the Detectability of Close- In Extrasolar Giant Planets 544
1 Light Curves 544
2 Theoretical Planetary Spectra 544
3 Future Work 545
References 545
Searching for VLTI Calibrators with the JMMC’s Search Calibrators Tool 546
1 The Problem 546
2 The Method 546
3 Technical aspects 547
4 Toward fainter calibrators 547
References 547
Observation of Asteroids with the VLTI 548
1 Introduction 548
2 Direct measurement of asteroid sizes with the VLTI 548
3 Conclusions 549
Extraterrestrial Search Through Temporal Coherence 550
MIA+EWS, the Software for MIDI Data- Reduction 552
1 Introduction 552
2 Supported MIDI Modes 552
3 Download and Installation 553
4 Algorithms 553
References 553
Understanding Cross Talk on the NPOI Multibeam Combiner 554
1 Introduction 554
2 Results 555
Reference 555
Posters — Instrumentation 556
A Model Experiment for APreS-MIDI 557
1 Intoduction 557
2 Physical principle and implementation of the model experiment 557
3 Data reduction 558
References 558
From the VLBI to the VLTI: An APreS-MIDI Image Reconstruction Study 559
1 Introduction 559
2 Image Reconstruction Results 559
References 560
A Numerical Simulator for VITRUV 561
1 What and How is the physics currently included ? 561
2 What can we do with this tool ? 561
References 562
Multiway Beam Combiners for VITRUV 563
1 Integrated optics and interferometry 563
2 Experimental setup 563
3 The IO beam combiner 563
4 Results 564
5 Conclusion 564
References 564
A Laboratory Interferometer for VITRUV 565
1 Introduction 565
2 Simulator description 565
3 Status and first results 566
Image Reconstruction with VITRUV 567
1 VITRUV: a spectro-imaging instrument for the VLTI 567
2 Imaging Young Stellar Objects 568
3 Conclusions 569
References 569
VITRUV Precursors: IONIC2T/IONIC3T 570
1 Instrumental context 570
2 Integrated optics-based instruments 570
3 Perspectives 572
References 572
First Results on Integrated Optics Developments for Mid- Infrared Interferometry 573
1 Introduction 573
2 Development of Dielectric Planar Waveguides 573
3 Development of Hollow Waveguides 574
References 574
APreS-MIDI, a 4 Beam Recombiner 575
1 Introduction 575
2 Instrument concept 575
3 Expected performances 576
Reference 576
First Results from SIRIUS, the Interferometric Imaging Demonstrator for VIDA 577
1 The project 577
2 Image Analysis 577
3 First results and calibration 578
4 Densification assembly 578
References 578
The Dispersed Speckles Cophasing System for Direct Imaging with VIDA 579
1 Introduction 579
2 The dispersed speckles principle 579
3 The results applied to the VIDA configuration 579
4 Conclusion 580
References 580
A New Generation of Micropositioning Devices for Optical Fiber with Submicrometric Metrology 581
1 Introduction 581
2 The principle 581
3 The software 581
4 Conclusion 582
References 582