Abstract
Context. Observations of milliarcsecond-resolution scales and high dynamic range hold a central place in the exploration of distant planetary systems in order to achieve, for instance, the spectroscopic characterization of exo-Earths or the detailed mapping of their protoplanetary disc birthplace. Multi-aperture infrared interferometry, either from the ground or from space, is a very powerful technique to tackle these goals. However, significant technical efforts still need to be undertaken to achieve a simplification of these instruments if we wish to recombine the light from a large number of telescopes. Integrated-optics concepts appear to be a suitable alternative to the current conventional designs, especially if their use can be extended to a higher number of astronomical bands.
Highlights
Very recent results have demonstrated the potential of optical/IR interferometers to produce the first infrared astrophysical images of complex morphologies on the milli-arcsecond scale
Significant technical efforts still need to be undertaken to achieve a simplification of these instruments if we wish to recombine the light from a large number of telescopes
We demonstrate for the first time the fabrication and the operation of a two-telescope integrated optics (IO) single-mode beam combiner for the mid-infrared spectral range around λ = 10 μm
Summary
Very recent results have demonstrated the potential of optical/IR interferometers to produce the first infrared astrophysical images of complex morphologies on the milli-arcsecond scale These images have revealed unprecedented details about the highly distorted photosphere of the rapid rotator Altair (Monnier et al 2007), they have produced the first direct view of the inner regions of a young circumstellar disk (Renard et al 2010), and permitted us to measure the gas velocity map in the very close vicinity of a supergiant (Millour et al 2011). These important breakthroughs would have not been possible without the help of imaging interferometers. This elegant solution and the resulting science has been limited to the near-infrared domain (J, H, K bands), yet there is an unquestionable astrophysical interest to extend this approach to the mid-infrared range, beyond
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