MATISSE: specifications and expected performances

TL;DR

MATISSE is a next-generation mid-infrared spectro-interferometer for the VLTI, designed to operate in multiple spectral bands, with detailed performance specifications, noise analysis, and simulation tools for future users.

Contribution

This paper provides the first comprehensive description of MATISSE's specifications, expected performance, noise sources, and simulation tools, advancing mid-infrared interferometry capabilities.

Findings

MATISSE's expected performance meets design specifications.

Noise sources and transmission losses are quantitatively analyzed.

Simulation tools are developed for future observational planning.

Abstract

MATISSE (Multi AperTure mid-Infrared SpectroScopic Experiment) is the next generation spectro-interferometer at the European Southern Observatory VLTI operating in the spectral bands L, M and N, and combining four beams from the unit and auxiliary telescopes. MATISSE is now fully integrated at the Observatoire de la C\^ote d'Azur in Nice (France), and has entered very recently its testing phase in laboratory. This paper summarizes the equations describing the MATISSE signal and the associated sources of noise. The specifications and the expected performances of the instrument are then evaluated taking into account the current characteristics of the instrument and the VLTI infrastructure, including transmission and contrast degradation budgets. In addition, we present the different MATISSE simulation tools that will be made available to the future users.