Applications of Astrophotonics

Historically, photonics' primary application has been in the telecommunications industry. Astrophotonics takes photonics and uses it for astronomical purposes. Many of the technologies that have been developed by astrophotonics researchers are a direct result of a problem faced by the astronomical and astrophysics community. As a result, the fields are intimately intertwined.

Interferometry

Interferometry is the technique of using an array of telescopes in conjunction to observe and determine the location of an object. Better optical fibres and optical circuitry will enable a greater efficiency in interpolating data collected.

Background Suppression

One of the biggest problems facing ground based telescopes in background light (noise) generated and reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere. Space telescopes (such as the Hubble telescope) avoid this, but are incredibly expensive, and reducing background interference presents a much cheaper alternative. Optical technology provides an excellent solution to this, as it is an extension of equipment already necessary for spectroscopic equipment. At the University of Sydney, research is being done on OH line spectrum supression using fibre Bragg gratings.

Early Source Detection

One of the phenomena that astrophysicist are most interested in are the so called early or first source measurements. These light sources are emitted by some of the oldest objects in the universe, and astrophotonics can be used to observe even more distant sources.

Upgrading Existing Systems

Many conventional observatories and devices can implement the technologies developed by instrumental physicists to upgrade the systems currently in place, upgrading performance with minimal cost.

Planetary Astronomy

Planetary astronomy is the science involved in the discovery and study of extrasolar planets by several different methods. More sensitive instruments will increase the chance of detecting planets using conventional methods, and allow more planets to be directly imaged.