Exoplanets in reflected starlight with dual-field interferometry and a fifth Unit Telescope at VLTI

TL;DR

This paper proposes upgrading the VLTI with a new telescope to enhance its capability for detecting exoplanets in reflected starlight by improving baseline coverage and contrast.

Contribution

Introduction of a fifth Unit Telescope at VLTI to optimize it for exoplanet detection through improved baseline configuration and contrast.

Findings

Enhanced baseline coverage for better spatial resolution

Reduced inner working angle for closer-in exoplanets

Improved contrast enabling detection of mature exoplanets

Abstract

In this white paper, we propose an upgrade to the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) consisting of the addition of a new 8m Unit Telescope (UT5). The primary goal of this upgrade is to optimise the VLTI for exoplanet detection by creating four additional baselines of approximately 200m oriented toward the north-west. The inclusion of this telescope would reduce the inner working angle and improve the achievable contrast of the VLTI, thereby enabling the detection of mature exoplanets in reflected light.