Title:
Mid-infrared interferometry on the Chajnantor plateau: the ALIRA project
Authors:
Coude du Foresto, Vincent; Schneider, Jean L.; Perrin, Guy S.; Lena, Pierre J.; Dutrey, Anne
Affiliation:
AA(LESIA/Observatoire de Paris-Meudon (France)), AB(LUTH/Observatoire de Paris-Meudon (France)), AC(LESIA/Observatoire de Paris-Meudon (France)), AD(LESIA/Observatoire de Paris-Meudon (France)), AE(Lab. d'Astrophysique de l'Observatoire de Grenoble (France))
Journal:
Interferometry for Optical Astronomy II. Edited by Wesley A. Traub . Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 4838, pp. 1028-1030 (2003). (SPIE Homepage)
Publication Date:
02/2003
Origin:
SPIE
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 2003: SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Bibliographic Code:
2003SPIE.4838.1028C

Abstract

We propose here to extend ALMA toward the mid-IR wavelength band. We discuss technical aspects and show a scientific breakthrough which would come out of that extension. On the technical side, we consider in particular the following problems raised by its implementation: -Telescope coupling -Beam transportation -Optical pathlength control Alternatively, a solution using heterodyne detection could be considered. As for the scientific programs which could benefit from this proposal, we consider essentially the investigation of extrasolar planets.