Design of Infrared Space Interferometers

Abstract

Infrared space observatories offer us the prospect of high sensitivityobservations of the `'cool Universe''. On the other hand, ground-basedinterferometers are exploring the infrared window at very high angularresolution. An infrared space interferometer, combining these approacheswould allow to tackle new and fascinating observing programs, such asthe detection and the characterization of extra-solar Earth-likeplanets. Although the technical constraints for such a mission arecertainly challenging, it appears that they could be mastered during thenext decade(s). Also, an interferometer optimized for the detection ofextra-solar planets (i.e. observing in the `'nulling mode'') could bedesigned in order to perform well in the imaging mode, hence expandingits observational program.