TPF interferometer planet detection algorithms

Nicholas M. Elias II; M. Charles Noecker

doi:10.1117/12.508076

19 November 2003 TPF interferometer planet detection sensitivity

Nicholas M. Elias II, M. Charles Noecker

Proceedings Volume 5170, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.508076
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Data-reduction algorithms for nulling interferometers can be divided into two categories, model-fitting and imaging. We deal mostly with single-Bracewell instruments because of their simplicity, even though they suffer from “nuisance sources” such as stellar leakage and exo-zodiacal light. To simplify data reduction, we work with the Fourier compo-nents of the time series. Exo-zodiacal light dominates at low frequencies. In principle, it should be possible to model the exo-zodiacal light contribution and separate it from planets using data from a single observation. In practice, however, the uncertainty in the exact form of the exo-zodiacal cloud limits our ability to model and remove its contribution. The only unambiguous way to detect planets with a single Bracewell is to observe a system multiple times through its orbit, and look for month-to-month variations in the Fourier components. To calculate the planet parameters, we discuss a cor-relation technique based on Fourier components instead of time series, in conjunction with a linearized least-squares so-lution. Because the fringe pattern on the sky is wavelength dependent, observations over multiple bandpasses signifi-cantly increases the confidence in planet detection. These algorithms may be used with other types of nulling interfer-ometers. We briefly discuss their application to dual Bracewell data.

Citation Download Citation

Nicholas M. Elias II and M. Charles Noecker "TPF interferometer planet detection sensitivity", Proc. SPIE 5170, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets, (19 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.508076

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available