Near IR Fringe Tracking for VLTI: the FINITO Detection System

ESO and the Osservatorio Astronomico di Torino (INAF-OATo) are engaged in a collaboration to implement the first generation fringe sensor for VLTI: FINITO. Only seven individual pixels are required for interferometric measurements; however, the instrument sensitivity is greatly improved by an array detector. We describe the FINITO concept and operation, the expected performances, and the detection system, which is based on a Rockwell PICNIC array.