Lens Masses and Distances from Microlens Parallax and Flux

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new technique to determine lens masses and distances in microlensing events by combining flux measurements with microlens parallax, applicable to various lens types and observational missions.

Contribution

The method allows mass and distance estimation without requiring the Einstein ring size, expanding capabilities for analyzing different microlensing systems.

Findings

Enables mass measurement without theta_E

Applicable to single, binary, and planetary lenses

Useful for Spitzer, Kepler, and WFIRST data

Abstract

I present a novel method for measuring lens masses for microlensing events. By combining a measured lens flux with the microlens parallax vector pi_E, it is possible to derive the mass of the lens system without knowing the angular size of the Einstein ring, theta_E. This enables mass and distance measurements for single, luminous lenses, as well as binary and planetary lenses without caustic crossings. I discuss applications of this method in the contexts of the Spitzer, Kepler, and WFIRST microlensing missions.