Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE)

One of the long-term goals exoplanet science is atmospheric characterization dozens small exoplanets in order to understand their diversity and search for habitable worlds potential biosignatures. Achieving this goal requires a space mission sufficient scale. We seek quantify detection performance space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer that measures thermal emission exoplanets. For this, we have developed an instrument simulator considers all major astrophysical noise sources coupled it with Monte Carlo simulations synthetic population around main-sequence stars within 20 pc. This allows us number (and types) our concept could detect over certain time period. Two different scenarios distribute observing among stellar targets are discussed apertures sizes wavelength ranges considered. Within 2.5-year initial phase, consisting four 2 m total throughput 5% covering range between 4 18.5 $\mu$m up ~550 radii 0.5 6 R$_\oplus$ integrated SNR$\ge$7. At least ~160 detected $\le$1.5 R$_\oplus$. Depending on scenario, ~25-45 rocky (objects 1.5 $_{\oplus}$) orbiting empirical zone (eHZ) host detections. With aperture size 3.5 m, detections can increase ~770, including ~60-80 rocky, eHZ planets. 1 size, maximum yield ~315 exoplanets, $\le$20 In terms predicted yield, such compete large single-aperture reflected light missions. (abridged)