This thesis describes the physics and computational aspects of an end-to-end simulator to predict the performance of a Space-based Far Infrared Interferometer. The present thesis also includes, the science capabilities and instrumental state-of-the art. The latter is the ambitious next step which the Far-Infrared Astrophysical community needs to take to improve in anyway on the results of the most recent and current space telescopes in this wavelength region. This thesis outlines the requirements involved in such a mission and describes the most promising technique to capture most of the astrophysical information by combining spectroscopy to spatial interferometer. The simulation of such a system is extremely complex requiring multiple Fourier transforms each of which is subject to instrument non-idealities and appropriate optimization techniques. As a conclusion, the thesis provides an example of the basic performance achievable with such an instrument when targeting a young star formation region.

Nominated as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis by the University College London, London Describes how to set up a full spectro-spatial interferometer instrument simulator, with both the philosophy and physics behind it Discusses how to use the FIInS software, which has an open source version called PyFIInS available on GitHub Presents an easy-to-understand, rapid implementation of the double Fourier modulation technique Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Dr Roser Juanola-Parramon holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UPC, Barcelona, Spain, an M.S. in Telecommunications Engineering from UPC, Barcelona, Spain, an M.S. in Photonics, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from University College London, London, UK, where he received the Jon Darius Prize (2014)for Outstanding Postgraduate Research in Astrophysics.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Theoretical background.- Spectro-Spatial Interferometry Testbeds.- FIInS.- FIInS Data Processing and Verification.- Simulated Observations with FIInS.- Conclusions and Future Work.