MATISSE presentation
MATISSE
(the Multi AperTure
mid-Infrared SpectroScopic
Experiment)
is foreseen as a mid-infrared spectro-interferometer combining the
beams of up to 4 UTs/ATs of the Very
Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI).
MATISSE will measure closure phase relations and
thus offer an efficient capability for image reconstruction.
In addition to the N band, MATISSE will open 3
new observing windows at the VLTI : the
L, M, and Q band which all belong to the mid-infrared domain.
Furthermore, the instrument will offer the
possibility to perform simultaneous observations in separate bands.
MATISSE will also provide several spectroscopic modes.
In summary, MATISSE can be seen as a successor
of MIDI by providing imaging capabilities
in the entire mid-infrared accessible from the ground.
The extension of MATISSE down to 2.7 micron as
well as its generalisation of the use of closure phases make
it also a successor of AMBER.
MATISSE
will exploit the astrophysical potential of the VLTI by overcoming the
ambiguities often existing in the interpretation
of visibility measurements.
The unique
performance of MATISSE is partly related to the existence of the
four large apertures of the VLT (UTs) that permits
to push the sensitivity limits to values required by selected
astrophysical programs such as the study of
Active Galactic Nuclei and protoplanetary discs.
Moreover,
the evaluated performance of MATISSE is linked to the availability of
ATs which are relocatable in position in about
30 different stations allowing the exploration of the Fourier plane
with up to 200 meters baseline length. Key
science programs using the ATs cover for example
the formation and evolution of planetary systems, the birth of massive
stars as well as the observation of the
high-contrast environment of hot and evolved stars.
