Asgard/NOTT消光干涉仪的性能分析：优化用于高对比度探测的观测模式
Performance Analysis of the Asgard/NOTT Nulling Interferometer: Optimizing Observing Modes for High-contrast Detection
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中文总结 AI 辅助
本文针对Asgard/NOTT消光干涉仪，评估三种光束组合方案的性能，提出结合三种观测模式的策略，可稳健探测热外黄道尘埃、约束其分布并识别恒星伴星假阳性信号。
中文摘要 AI 辅助
我们评估了三种光束组合方案，即单Bracewell、非对称双Bracewell和对称双Bracewell，针对即将在甚大望远镜干涉仪（VLTI）上部署的Asgard/NOTT消光干涉仪的性能。利用SCIFYsim端到端模拟器，我们通过推导校准后的消光测量精度随恒星星等的变化，以及模拟不同热外黄道尘埃（HEZD）分布和热木星的观测，来评估该仪器的性能。研究揭示了每种观测模式存在明显的权衡：单Bracewell模式具有高通量并保留空间信息，但误差抑制效果差；非对称双Bracewell模式对点状源探测提供最强的误差抑制，但会固有抑制对称天体物理信号，如HEZD产生的信号；对称双Bracewell模式则提供折中方案，误差抑制效果适中，同时对对称辐射敏感。我们得出结论，结合所有三种观测模式，为探测HEZD、约束其分布结构以及识别恒星伴星的假阳性信号提供了稳健策略。
英文摘要
We evaluate the performance of three beam-combination schemes, single-Bracewell, asymmetric dual-Bracewell, and symmetric dual-Bracewell, for the forthcoming Asgard/NOTT nulling interferometer at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. Utilizing the SCIFYsim end-to-end simulator, we assess the instrument's performance by deriving the precision of calibrated null measurements as a function of stellar magnitude and simulating observations of varying hot exozodiacal dust (HEZD) distributions and a hot Jupiter. The study reveals distinct trade-offs for each observing mode. The single-Bracewell mode provides high throughput and preserves spatial information but suffers from poor error suppression. The asymmetric dual-Bracewell mode offers the strongest error suppression for detecting point-like sources, but it inherently suppresses symmetric astrophysical signals such as expected from HEZD. The symmetric dual-Bracewell mode provides a middle ground with modest error suppression while being sensitive to symmetric emission. We conclude that utilizing a combination of all three observing modes provides a robust strategy for detecting HEZD, constraining the structure of its distribution, and identifying false positives from stellar companions.
