VAMPIRES: Probing the innermost regions of protoplanetary systems with polarimetric aperture-masking

Barnaby R.M. Norris, Peter G. Tuthill, Nemanja Jovanovic, Guillaume Schworer, Olivier Guyon, Frantz Martinache, Paul N. Stewart

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

VAMPIRES is a high-angular resolution imager developed to directly image planet-forming circumstellar disks, and the signatures of forming planets that lie within. The instrument leverages aperture masking interferometry - providing diffraction-limited imaging despite seeing - in combination with fast-switching differential polarimetry to directly image structure in the inner-most regions of protoplanetary systems. VAMPIRES will use starlight scattered by dust in such systems to precisely map the disk, gaps, knots and waves that are key to understanding disk evolution and planet formation. It also promises to image the dusty circumstellar environments of AGB stars. This instrument perfectly compliments coronagraphic observations in the near-IR, and can operate simultaneously with a coronagraph, as part of the SCExAO extreme-AO system at the Subaru telescope. In this paper the design of the instrument will be presented, along with an explanation of the unique data analysis process and the results of the first on-sky tests.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOptical and Infrared Interferometry IV
EditorsJayadev K. Rajagopal, Michelle J. Creech-Eakman, Fabien Malbet
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9780819496140
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
EventOptical and Infrared Interferometry IV - Montreal, Canada
Duration: Jun 23 2014Jun 27 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9146
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherOptical and Infrared Interferometry IV
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period6/23/146/27/14

Keywords

  • Interferometry
  • Subaru telescope
  • aperture masking
  • exoplanets
  • polarimetry
  • protoplanetary disks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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