Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): IV. Ideal kernel-nulling array architectures for a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer

Abstract

Aims: Optical interferometry from space for the purpose of detecting and characterising exoplanets is seeing a revival, specifically from missions such as the proposed Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE). A default assumption since the design studies of Darwin and TPF-I has been that the Emma X-array configuration is the optimal architecture for this goal. Here, we examine whether new advances in the field of nulling interferometry, such as the concept of kernel nulling, challenge this assumption. Methods: We develop a tool designed to derive the photon-limited signal to noise ratio of a large sample of simulated planets for different architecture configurations and beam combination schemes. We simulate four basic configurations: the double Bracewell/X-array, and kernel nullers with three, four and five telescopes respectively. Results: We find that a configuration of five telescopes in a pentagonal shape, using a five aperture kernel nulling scheme, outperforms the X-array design in both search (finding more planets) and characterisation (obtaining better signal, faster) when total collecting area is conserved. This is especially the case when trying to detect Earth twins (temperate, rocky planets in the habitable zone), showing a 23% yield increase over the X-array. On average, we find that a five telescope design receives 1.2 times the signal over the X-array design. Conclusions: With the results of this simulation, we conclude that the Emma X-array configuration may not be the best architecture choice for the upcoming LIFE mission, and that a five telescope design utilising kernel nulling concepts will likely provide better scientific return for the same collecting area, provided that technical solutions for the required achromatic phase shifts can be implemented.

arXiv comment13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&A. This is the fourth paper of a series on the LIFE telescope; updated to revise the number of this paper within the series. Other papers in the series are also available: (LIFE 1 - arXiv:2101.07500)

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Cited by in corpus (10)

• Doppler Constraints on Planetary Companions to Nearby Sun-like Stars: An Archival Radial Velocity Survey of Southern Targets for Proposed NASA Direct Imaging Missions
• Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE). X. Detectability of currently known exoplanets and synergies with future IR/O/UV reflected-starlight imaging missions
• Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): VII. Practical implementation of a five-telescope kernel-nulling beam combiner with a discussion on instrumental uncertainties and redundancy benefits
• Pursuing Truth: Improving Retrievals on Mid-Infrared Exo-Earth Spectra with Physically Motivated Water Abundance Profiles and Cloud Models
• Imaging of exocomets with infrared interferometry
• Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE). XIV. Finding terrestrial protoplanets in the galactic neighborhood
• Consequences of Non-Gaussian Instrumental Noise in Perturbed Nulling Interferometers
• Photobombing for the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE). A new criterion for target confusion and application to a MIR rotating nulling interferometer
• A preliminary exploration of the effects of baseline length for the LIFE space mission
• The influence of stellar activity on detecting Earth-like planets via nulling interferometry