The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array currently consists of 6 telescopes at fixed positions, connected by vacuum pipes to the delay lines. The CHARA Michelson Array Pathfinder (CMAP) project includes two major components: 1) a mobile telescope that can be placed at a number of locations, and 2) a fiber optic relay system to transport light to the beam combining facility. The telescope will be equipped with a custom-built instrument bench with adaptive optics and fiber injection. The light will be transported by optical fibers to the existing CHARA delay lines. In this contribution, we present the progress on the various subsystems needed to integrate the new telescope and beam transport method into the existing CHARA environment. We will also describe our efforts to find internal fringes with the new fibers.
Microarcsecond resolutions afforded by an optical-NIR array with kilometer-baselines would enable breakthrough science. However significant technology barriers exist in transporting weakly coherent photon states over these distances: primarily photon loss and phase errors. Quantum telescopy, using entangled states to link spatially separated apertures, offers a possible solution to the loss of photons. We report on an initiative launched by NSF NOIRLab in collaboration with the Center for Quantum Networks and Arizona Quantum Initiative at the University of Arizona, Tucson, to explore these concepts further. A brief description of the quantum concepts and a possible technology roadmap towards a quantum-enhanced very long baseline optical-NIR interferometric array is presented. An on-sky demonstration of measuring spatial coherence of photons with apertures linked through the simplest Gottesman protocol over short baselines and with limited phase fluctuations is envisaged as the first step.
The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array is a six-element interferometer with baselines ranging from 34 to 331m. The Array has had many upgrades in recent years including new beam combiners: MYSTIC is a 6T combiner for K-band; SPICA is a 6T combiner for the visible R-band; and SILMARIL is a 3T combiner for high sensitivity in the H- and K-bands. A seventh, mobile telescope is now on site for use with fiber optics for beam transport. Observing time is available to the community through a program funded by NSF. The observing programs are solicited and peer-reviewed by NSF’s NOIRLab. Here we summarize the scientific work and the on-going technical advances of the CHARA Array.
Much research has been done to show the possibilities of using long transport fibers in optical interferometry. The CHARA Michelson Array Pathfinder will extend the spatial coverage of the CHARA Array by adding a mobile 1-meter telescope connected by optical fibers. The pathfinder will operate in H-band and will explore baselines up to approximately 1 km, giving an angular resolution of 0.2 mas. The new telescope will be placed at short baselines to image the surfaces of large stars and at long baselines to resolve small stars. Here we describe the project and our progress on various subsystems.
The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array is a six-element interferometer with baselines ranging from 34 to 331 m. Three new beam combiners are entering operation: MYSTIC is a 6-telescope combiner for K-band; SPICA is a 6-telescope combiner for the visible R-band; and SILMARIL is a 3-telescope combiner for high sensitivity in H and K-bands. A seventh, portable telescope will use fiber optics for beam transport and will increase the baselines to 1 km. Observing time is available through a program funded by NSF. The programs are solicited and peer-reviewed by NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory. The open community access has significantly expanded the range of astronomical investigations of stars and their environments. Here we summarize the scientific work and the on-going technical advances of the CHARA Array.
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