Exoplanet science with the LBTI: instrument status and plans
D. Defr\`ere, P. Hinz, A. Skemer, V. Bailey, E. Downey, O. Durney, J., Eisner, J.M. Hill, W.F. Hoffmann, J. Leisenring, T. McMahon, M. Montoya, E., Spalding, J. Stone, A. Vaz, O. Absil, S. Esposito, M. Kenworthy, B., Mennesson, R. Millan-Gabet, M. Nelson, A. Puglisi
TL;DR
The paper reviews the LBTI instrument's capabilities and recent milestones in high-resolution infrared imaging for exoplanet research, highlighting its various observational modes and performance achievements.
Contribution
It provides a comprehensive overview of LBTI's instrument status, capabilities, and recent advancements in exoplanet imaging techniques.
Findings
First-light Fizeau images achieved with 22.8-m resolution
Deep interferometric nulling observations demonstrated
Multiple high-contrast imaging modes validated
Abstract
The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) is a strategic instrument of the LBT designed for high-sensitivity, high-contrast, and high-resolution infrared (1.5-13 m) imaging of nearby planetary systems. To carry out a wide range of high-spatial resolution observations, it can combine the two AO-corrected 8.4-m apertures of the LBT in various ways including direct (non-interferometric) imaging, coronagraphy (APP and AGPM), Fizeau imaging, non-redundant aperture masking, and nulling interferometry. It also has broadband, narrowband, and spectrally dispersed capabilities. In this paper, we review the performance of these modes in terms of exoplanet science capabilities and describe recent instrumental milestones such as first-light Fizeau images (with the angular resolution of an equivalent 22.8-m telescope) and deep interferometric nulling observations.
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