In my talk I will give two examples of using interferometric technique in astronomy, studying (i) quasars at 
radio wavelengths and (ii) young stellar objects (YSO) in the infrared regime.
(i) In hierarchical structure formation models, interactions and mergers between galaxies play an important 
role in their evolution and consequently in the growth of their central supermassive black holes (SMBH). 
Thus, it is expected that a particular phase in the merging process, namely systems with dual SMBHs exist. 
Some studies show that the merging process may initiate activity, thus dual active galactic nuclei (AGNs) 
are expected to be observed. The high angular resolution provided by Very Long Baseline Interferometry is 
helpful to identify dual AGNs separated at kpc-scale, however there is currently no efficient method known 
to select such candidate sources.
(ii) Currently only using interferometric technique can one investigate in detail (in AU-scale) the 
accretion disks around YSOs. Since these are the planet-forming regions, in order to better constraint 
planet formation models their study is essential. Mid-infrared radiation originates from the inner wall and 
the surface layer of these dust disks (and possibly a halo) which can be studied with mas-scale resolution 
using the mid-infrared instrument on the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, MIDI (and soon its successor, 
MATISSE). 
  
 |