Multiplicity of Galactic Cepheids from long-baseline interferometry – III. Sub-percent limits on the relative brightness of a close companion of δ Cephei

We report new CHARA/MIRC interferometric observations of the Cepheid archetype $\delta$ Cep, which aimed at detecting the newly discovered spectroscopic companion. We reached a maximum dynamic range $\Delta H $ = 6.4, 5.8, and 5.2 mag, respectively within the relative distance to the Cepheid $r 9.15, 8.31$ and 7.77 mag, respectively for $r < 25$ mas, $25 < r < 50$ mas and $50 < r < 100$ mas. We also found that to be consistent with the predicted orbital period, the companion has to be located at a projected separation $< 24$ mas with a spectral type later than a F0V star.