Photonic Technologies for Astronomical Instruments

To perform astronomy, we generally require two pieces of equipment. The first is a telescope, which collects and concentrates the signal of interest from space. The second is an instrument, which analyses the properties of the signal concentrated by the telescope.

The limits to the knowledge we can gain about the universe are entirely determined by the performance of these two pieces of equipment, and they are of equal importance - a good telescope with a bad instrument is of little use, and vice versa.

The performance of any instrument (e.g. sensitivity and precision) is determined and limited by the performance of the technologies that are available at the time of development. For example, if better detectors are available, instruments can be constructed that can observe fainter objects such as more distant galaxies. If more precise and stable calibration technologies are available, we can finely track small changes in the signal from a source over long time-periods, enabling us to detect small Earth-like planets, and potentially even enabling us to observe the expansion of the universe in real-time!

In order to continue to increase the performance of astronomical instruments operating in and around the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum, we must develop new technologies that allow us to efficiently manipulate, detect and calibrate the light captured by the telescope. One option here is to exploit advanced "photonic" technologies and techniques.

Photonics is the broad area of science concerned with the generation, manipulation and detection of light. Modern photonic technologies include lasers and optical fibres - technologies that have revolutionised our world. The overarching aim of this STFC Consortium Grant is to bring together a critical mass of UK experts in the fields of photonics and astronomical instrumentation, with the specific aim of securing the UK's position as a global leader in the field of "astrophotonics", and opening the way to a new generation of optical astronomical instruments with unprecedented performance.

Informed by instrumentation priorities over the coming decade, we will perform fundamental technology research in three main areas by developing:

- advanced photonic laser manufacturing techniques to fabricate monolithic glass optical sub-systems, enabling more efficient and lower cost instruments with enhanced instrument design freedom.

- versatile precision laser calibration sources that are specifically tailored to meet the demands of future astronomy, and that are suitable for widespread adoption.

- bespoke low-loss optical fibres which can be used to flexibly route light from the telescope to instruments for analysis without degrading the spatial and spectral properties of the light.

This project will lay the foundation for leading UK roles in the next generation of astronomical optical instruments. The vastly improved performance compared to current facilities will give increased scientific output, and ultimately deliver new insights to our understanding of the universe.