Equipping VIKiNG: mid-infrared technology for exoplanet characterisation

该项目旨在为甚大望远镜干涉仪红外核零仪器开发热红外技术，使其成为任何现有或在建设施中最有能力的直接系外行星探测仪器。澳大利亚目前在创新光子技术方面处于世界领先地位，而这些技术目前是为维京海盗生产可制造设计的限制因素。该项目为实验室开发热红外高效、有源中红外光子电路提供了一条清晰的途径。除了对天文学的好处之外，这些电路是开发用于环境监测和安全的远程分子探测器的第一步。

This project aims to develop thermal infrared technologies for the Very large telescope interferometer Infrared Kernel-NullinG instrument (VIKiNG), making it the most capable direct exoplanet detection instrument on any existing, or under construction, facility. Australia is currently world leading in innovative photonics technologies, and these are currently the limiting factor in producing a manufacturable design for VIKiNG. This project provides a clear pathway for laboratory development of high-efficiency, active mid-infrared photonic circuits in the thermal infrared. Beyond benefits to astronomy, these circuits are the first step in developing remote molecule detectors for environmental monitoring and security.