ELTI: Revolutionizing Optical Astronomy with ELT-Scale Interferometry

The Extremely Large Telescope Interferometer (ELTI) represents a transformative concept for optical astronomy in the 2040s. By capitalizing on recent breakthroughs in large-format SPAD imaging sensors and combining them with the unprecedented collecting area of the ELT, ELTI aims to deliver visible-light intensity interferometry with ELT-scale angular resolution and quantum-limited temporal sampling. This capability will open an entirely new region of observational parameter space, enabling true milliarcsecond imaging of stellar surfaces, direct probes of extreme-gravity environments, precision studies of accretion physics, and even the potential detection of Earth-sized exoplanets. The combination of segmented sub-pupil beam combination, megapixel SPAD arrays, and high-dispersion spectroscopy positions the ELT as a world-leading facility for ultra-high-resolution optical astronomy. The success of ELTI hinges on the successful development and integration of these advanced technologies.

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