Planet Formation Imager (PFI): Introduction and technical considerations

Planet Formation; Architecture; Image reconstruction; Infrared radiation; High angular resolutions; High-resolution imaging; Long-baseline interferometry; Science requirements; Technical advances; Theoretical framework; Wavelength coverage; Interferometry

Abstract :

[en] Complex non-linear and dynamic processes lie at the heart of the planet formation process. Through numerical simulation and basic observational constraints, the basics of planet formation are now coming into focus. High resolution imaging at a range of wavelengths will give us a glimpse into the past of our own solar system and enable a robust theoretical framework for predicting planetary system architectures around a range of stars surrounded by disks with a diversity of initial conditions. Only long-baseline interferometry can provide the needed angular resolution and wavelength coverage to reach these goals and from here we launch our planning efforts. The aim of the "Planet Formation Imager" (PFI) project is to develop the roadmap for the construction of a new near-/mid-infrared interferometric facility that will be optimized to unmask all the major stages of planet formation, from initial dust coagulation, gap formation, evolution of transition disks, mass accretion onto planetary embryos, and eventual disk dispersal. PFI will be able to detect the emission of the cooling, newlyformed planets themselves over the first 100 Myrs, opening up both spectral investigations and also providing a vibrant look into the early dynamical histories of planetary architectures. Here we introduce the Planet Formation Imager (PFI) Project (www.planetformationimager.org) and give initial thoughts on possible facility architectures and technical advances that will be needed to meet the challenging top-level science requirements. © 2014 SPIE.

Disciplines :

Space science, astronomy & astrophysics

Author, co-author :

Monnier, J. D.; University of Michigan, United States

Kraus, S.; University of Exeter, United Kingdom

Buscher, D.; University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Berger, J.-P.; ESO, Germany

Haniff, C.; University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Ireland, M.; Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Labadie, L.; University of Cologne, Germany

Lacour, S.; Observatoire de Paris, France

Le Coroller, H.; Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France

Petrov, R. G.; University of Nice - Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France

More authors (10 more)

Language :

English

Title :

Planet Formation Imager (PFI): Introduction and technical considerations

Publication date :

2014

Event name :

Optical and Infrared Interferometry IV

Event date :

23 June 2014 through 27 June 2014

Audience :

International

Journal title :

Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering

ISSN :

0277-786X

eISSN :

1996-756X

Publisher :

SPIE

Volume :

9146

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Funders :

SPIE - International Society for Optics and Photonics

Commentary :

110694 9780819496140

Available on ORBi :

since 04 June 2015

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