Commissioning and calibration of the JWST aperture masking interferometry mode

Rachel A. Cooper; Deepashri Thatte; Anand Sivaramakrishnan; Löic Albert; Neil J. Cook; Jens Kammerer; André R. Martel; Joel Sanchez-Bermudez; Anthony Soulain; Thomas Vandal; Kevin Volk

doi:10.1117/12.3019153

28 August 2024 Commissioning and calibration of the JWST aperture masking interferometry mode

Rachel A. Cooper, Deepashri Thatte, Anand Sivaramakrishnan, Löic Albert, Neil J. Cook, Jens Kammerer, André R. Martel, Joel Sanchez-Bermudez, Anthony Soulain, Thomas Vandal, Kevin Volk

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX; 130952R (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019153
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

The multi-national James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) enables several new technologies, one of which is the first space-based infrared interferometer, the Aperture Masking Interferometry (AMI) mode of the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS). AMI is a niche but powerful tool for high resolution imaging of a variety of moderate- to high-contrast astronomical sources. The non-redundant mask (NRM) in the entrance pupil enables detection of structure below the classical Rayleigh diffraction limit, well inside the inner working angle of JWST’s coronagraphs. This explores a parameter space largely inaccessible to existing ground- and other space-based observatories. Early science observations leveraged the capabilities of this unique mode to observe dusty Wolf-Rayet binaries, spatially resolved solar system objects, massive exoplanet systems, and protoplanetary disks. The high quality of this space-based data demonstrated the need for improved analysis methods. We describe approaches to extracting interferometric observables, as well as pre- and post-extraction data cleaning routines we made available to the user community. We also discuss insights and unique challenges that were revealed during the commissioning, early calibration, and first science cycles of this promising observing mode: mitigation strategies for instrumental effects, lessons learned for optimizing observation configuration, and plans for ongoing calibration efforts. Knowledge gained from commissioning and calibration data – which are always non-proprietary – provide valuable insight into the capabilities and limitations of this mode, highlight areas that need improvement, and lay the groundwork for furthering JWST’s scientific objectives.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

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Rachel A. Cooper, Deepashri Thatte, Anand Sivaramakrishnan, Löic Albert, Neil J. Cook, Jens Kammerer, André R. Martel, Joel Sanchez-Bermudez, Anthony Soulain, Thomas Vandal, and Kevin Volk "Commissioning and calibration of the JWST aperture masking interferometry mode", Proc. SPIE 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX, 130952R (28 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019153

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