Development of Fixed-delay Interferometry for Detecting Extra-solar Planets

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The Principle Investigator will develop techniques for acquiring high resolution Doppler radial velocity measurements using a fixed-delay interferometer. The proposed instrument can provide Doppler resolution limited only by intrinsic stellar line widths, and independent of the spectral dispersion of the post-disperser used for separating fringes in different wavelengths. The technique will be used for detection and characterization of extra-solar planetary systems around solar-type stars. The PI will explore the feasibility of using this technique for multi-object radial velocity observation and planet detection around B, A, early F, and late M type stars. The technique and instrumentation can be adapted to a wide variety of telescopes. Eventually, this technique could be used in a full sky survey for planets around hundreds of thousands of stars. The detection and study of extra-solar planets has broad impact to the astronomical community and has a proven appeal to the public at large.