Speaker
Description
We present our recent progress in stellar intensity interferometry, highlighting how large-area single photon counting detectors can advance spatial intensity interferometry (SII) through ultrahigh temporal resolution capabilities. Our work includes two measurement campaigns: the first in April 2024 using off-the-shelf detectors, the second in August 2024 employing the new PhotonPix detector system developed by our group together with Photonscore and Photonis Inc.. The PhotonPix detector features a large detection area and is capable of handling high count rates (100 MHz) while maintaining high timing accuracy. With the two setups we measured spatial photon correlations at the Calern Observatory in Nice, France, by use of the two C2PU telescopes (15-meter baseline) providing evidence for a limb darkened model of the star Vega. We will discuss the implications of our findings and potential future applications of the PhotonPix technology in astronomical observations.
