Instrumental developments for the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer

Abstract

The Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) has been enhanced by installation of the PAVO beam combiner, which uses an electron-multiplying CCD detector giving a fast, low-noise 2D readout. This allows PAVO to provide wide-band wavelength dispersed beam combination, which improves sensitivity and scientific productivity. PAVO also provides pupil segmentation which improves the instrumental fringe visibility. A remote operations facility has been established, which allows SUSI to be operated from Sydney or elsewhere. A new control system for the longitudinal dispersion corrector and siderostats is under development. Installation has commenced of a high precision differential astrometry system (MUSCA) which aims to detect planets in binary star systems. Show more