RAPID Opportunity for U/V band stellar imaging using intensity interferometry with the VERITAS Observatory

使用 VERITAS 天文台强度干涉测量法进行 U/V 波段恒星成像的快速机会

• 批准号: 1806262
• 负责人: David Kieda
• 金额: $ 13.36万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2018-02-01 至 2019-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1806262&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RAPID; Opportunity; band; stellar; imaging

Interferometry is a method for combining the light from multiple telescopes to generate an image with exceptionally high spatial resolution. Such acuity cannot be obtained by either telescope alone. This challenging technique can resolve stars outside our solar system, despite their very great distances. Such a feat is impossible with any single telescope, for which even the closest stars are still seen as unresolved points of light. Ordinary interferometry combines the amplitudes of optical telescope signals to form an image. This project utilizes another kind of interferometry that makes use of the quantum nature of light (photons). This quantum approach was first demonstrated in the 1950?s. Kieda and collaborators update this approach by using large, well-separated optical light collectors and fast, modern electronics. They will form images of 35 bright stars over the course of a one-year observing campaign. They will use the VERITAS Observatory and their own dedicated detectors, electronics and data connectivity. This project will serve as a technology pathfinder that may lead to a new regime in ultra-high resolution optical astronomy.This project will image stars in the UV/Optical bandpass using the method of Hanbury Brown Twiss (HBT) interferometry. This method utilizes the correlation between intensity fluctuations, also called photon bunching, that occurs when different detectors observe the same source. In this method, the intensity correlation time series is the interferometric quantity upon which images are derived. The main advantage of this method is that it is robust to atmospheric turbulence; however, its low inherent sensitivity demands large-area light collectors. It also requires fast time resolution and long integration times. Astronomical observations using HBT were done in the 1960?s and 1970?s during which time the angular diameters of more than 30 stars were measured with a resolution of 1 mas. This method was recently demonstrated on several bright stars with modern detectors and electronics operating in the photon-counting regime. Kieda and collaborators will use the VERITAS gamma-ray observatory telescopes to demonstrate imaging with intensity interferometry. They have validated key technologies for measuring spatial and temporal bunching of blackbody radiation. They have demonstrated the ability to reconstruct images using synthetic data. Their method requires sub-nanosecond synchronization of the data acquisition from multiple detectors spaced at ~100+ meter baselines. This project has the potential to demonstrate a scalable technology and open a wide, unexplored frontier for astronomical, optical imaging with ultra-high resolution.

干涉测量是一种将来自多个望远镜的光结合起来以产生具有极高空间分辨率的图像的方法。 这样的敏锐度是单靠任何一台望远镜都无法达到的。 这种具有挑战性的技术可以分辨太阳系以外的恒星，尽管它们距离很远。 这样的壮举是不可能的任何单一的望远镜，因为即使是最近的恒星仍然被视为未解决的光点。 普通的干涉测量法将光学望远镜信号的振幅结合起来形成图像。 该项目利用了另一种干涉测量法，该方法利用了光（光子）的量子性质。 这种量子方法是在1950年首次证明？S. Kieda及其合作者通过使用大型、分离良好的光学集光器和快速、现代化的电子设备来更新这种方法。 他们将在为期一年的观测活动中形成35颗明亮恒星的图像。他们将使用VERITAS天文台和自己的专用探测器、电子设备和数据连接。 该项目将作为一个技术开拓者，可能导致超高分辨率光学天文学的一个新制度，该项目将使用Hanbury Brown Twiss（HBT）干涉测量法在紫外线/光学带通中对恒星成像。 这种方法利用强度波动之间的相关性，也称为光子聚束，当不同的探测器观察到相同的源时发生。 在这种方法中，强度相关时间序列是干涉测量量，在此基础上导出图像。 这种方法的主要优点是它对大气湍流具有鲁棒性;然而，其固有的低灵敏度需要大面积的光收集器。 它还需要快速的时间分辨率和较长的积分时间。 使用HBT的天文观测是在1960年完成的。1970年，？在此期间，以1质量的分辨率测量了30多颗恒星的角直径。 这种方法最近在几颗明亮的恒星上进行了演示，使用了现代探测器和光子计数系统中的电子设备。 Kieda和合作者将使用VERITAS伽马射线天文望远镜演示强度干涉测量成像。 他们验证了测量黑体辐射空间和时间聚束的关键技术。 他们已经证明了使用合成数据重建图像的能力。 他们的方法需要从间隔约100+米基线的多个探测器获取亚纳秒同步数据。该项目有可能展示一种可扩展的技术，并为超高分辨率的天文光学成像开辟一个广阔的、未经探索的前沿。

项目成果

Implementation of an intensity interferometry system on the StarBase observatory

在 StarBase 天文台上实施强度干涉测量系统

• DOI: 10.1117/12.2312716
• 发表时间: 2018
• 期刊: Proc. SPIE 10701 Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IV
• 作者: Matthews, Nolan;Kieda, David B.;Snow, Shaun;LeBohec, Stephan;Clarke, Orville;Mérand, Antoine;Creech-Eakman, Michelle J.;Tuthill, Peter G.
• 通讯作者: Tuthill, Peter G.

Demonstration of stellar intensity interferometry with the four VERITAS telescopes

• DOI: 10.1038/s41550-020-1143-y
• 发表时间: 2020-07-20
• 期刊: NATURE ASTRONOMY
• 影响因子: 14.1
• 作者: Abeysekara, A. U.;Benbow, W.;Williamson, T. J.
• 通讯作者: Williamson, T. J.