Astrophotonic applications of ultrafast laser inscription
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Abstract
Astronomy is on the brink of a revolution. Massive telescopes, such as the 42 m European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), are being planned that will enable astronomers to peer farther into the universe than ever before. The observations performed using these telescopes will be used to answer questions on topics ranging from dark matter to extraterrestrial life. The telescopes are just one part of the picture however, new instruments are required to analyse the light collected by them. Scaling up the old instrumentation technology would result in large and costly instruments and a re-think about how such instruments will be constructed is required. For decades, researchers have been developing compact photonics devices, the optical analogue of electronic devices, mainly for applications in telecoms. To answer some of the instrumentation issues, scientists and engineers are now investigating the possibility of applying photonic concepts to astronomical instrumentation. Thus, the field of astrophotonics has emerged over recent years - it has the potential to revolutionise astronomy. Unsurprisingly, the demands of astronomy are different from those of telecoms. For example, telecom devices have been finely tuned to operate over a narrow spectral region using light that is highly controlled in terms of its spatial properties. In contrast, astrophotonic devices will be required to operate over a wide spectral range and the spatial properties of light entering the device will change depending on the subject of observation and the weather conditions at the observatory. It is clear therefore that although astrophotonics can benefit from the experience of the photonics community; astrophotonics will require the development of entirely new photonic devices. Due to the unique requirements of astronomy it is envisaged that many astrophotonic devices must be three-dimensional (3D). Given that almost all current fabrication technologies are limited to the fabrication of two-dimensional planar devices this presents a considerable challenge. Over recent years a new fabrication technology, ultrafast laser inscription (ULI), has emerged that enables the fabrication of complex 3D photonic devices. ULI uses extremely short laser pulses, with temporal durations < 1.0 ps, to locally modify the structure of transparent materials such as glass. The induced modification manifests itself in a plethora of ways, examples of which include changes in the refractive index or susceptibility to chemical etching of the modified material. Using these manifestations, 3D photonic structures such as micro-optics, micro-mechanics and optical waveguides - which guide light in a manner similar to the way metallic wires guide electricity, can be directly inscribed in the material by translating it in 3D through the laser focus. ULI is therefore a revolutionary 3D photonic device fabrication technology that can be used to create 3D astrophotonics devices. The objective of this fellowship is to demonstrate that ULI is the most promising way to realise 3D astrophotonic devices. This objective will be achieved by developing three devices for targeted astronomy applications and using them for real observations on telescopes around the world in collaboration with astronomers. The first device is a new type of filter that will remove the light generated by the earth's atmosphere from the starlight captured by the telescope. The second is a micro-mechanical fibre-optic switch. This switch will be used on future telescopes employing thousands of optical fibres to capture the light focussed by the telescope. The third is a 3D photonic beam combiner which will be used to combine the light capture by multiple telescopes, dramatically increasing the spatial resolution of the obtained images. If successful, this fellowship will contribute significantly to a paradigm shift in astronomical instrumentation, opening the way to ground breaking discoveries about our universe.
Organisations
- Heriot-Watt University (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics of Grenoble (Collaboration)
- Leibniz Association (Collaboration)
- Renishaw (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Robert Thomson (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Arriola A
(2014)
Ultrafast laser inscription of mid-IR directional couplers for stellar interferometry.
in Optics letters
Arriola A
(2015)
Towards efficient mid-infrared integrated photonic-lanterns
in Journal of Optics
Beecher S
(2012)
Single Stage Ultrafast Laser Inscription of a Side-Polished Fiber-Like Waveguide Sensor
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Beecher S
(2010)
320 fs pulse generation from an ultrafast laser inscribed waveguide laser mode-locked by a nanotube saturable absorber
in Applied Physics Letters
Bellouard Y
(2016)
Stress-state manipulation in fused silica via femtosecond laser irradiation
in Optica
Birks T
(2015)
The photonic lantern
in Advances in Optics and Photonics
Birks T
(2015)
The Photonic Lantern
Carter RM
(2017)
Towards industrial ultrafast laser microwelding: SiO2 and BK7 to aluminum alloy.
in Applied optics
Chandrasekharan H
(2016)
Multiplexed Single-Mode Wavelength-to-Time Mapping of Multimode Light
Chandrasekharan HK
(2017)
Multiplexed single-mode wavelength-to-time mapping of multimode light.
in Nature communications
Description | We have clearly demonstrated that photonic technologies do have the potential to revolutionaise astronomy in a variety of areas, including exoplanetary science and galactic archeology. We have also demonstrated that many of the technologies that we have developed (e.g. integrated photonic lanterns) have the potential to impact a variety of areas beyond astronomy. |
Exploitation Route | Over the past ~6 years, I have conducted proof-of-concept work to demonstrate the potential of photonics for astronomical instruments. The key now is to demonstrate feasibility, by raising the TRL and demonstrating simple instruments with the required performance. We will also be investigating ways to exploit these technologies in new areas, and we have secured two CLASP projects to do exactly this, engaging with companies such as Renisahw. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Environment Healthcare Other |
URL | http://arxiv.org/abs/1402.2547 |
Description | Through this fellowship, I have shown that the unique capabiltiies of ultrafast laser inscription make it the ideal technology for manufacturing a range of important 3D photonic technologies, including photonic lanterns, high core count integrated 3D waveguide interconnects and micro lens arrays. These technologies have important applications in astronomy, but are now also finding applications in telecommunications. Through a spin-out company, (Optoscribe Ltd) we are selling integrated photonic lanterns and fan-out devices for applications in telecommunications, and our devices have been used by world leading labs in telecommunications test beds. The work conducted during my fellowship has also stimulated similar lines of research in countries such as France, Germany and Australia. In short, this fellowship has enabled the UK to strengthen and maintain its leading position as a developer of astrophotonic technologies. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Other |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | CLASP - Environment Call |
Amount | £185,748 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/K006509/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 02/2015 |
Description | CLASP Healthcare Call |
Amount | £286,631 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/M007839/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 09/2018 |
Description | EU FP7 Research Infrastructure |
Amount | € 73,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | Project Research and Development Scheme |
Amount | £352,687 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/K00235X/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2013 |
End | 12/2015 |
Description | Royal Society- Research Grant awards |
Amount | £14,860 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG110551 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2012 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grants Call (2015) |
Amount | £490,110 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000625/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Dr Brian Smith and Prof. Nick Weston |
Organisation | Renishaw PLC |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I am investigating applications of ultrafast lasers in industrial manufacturing applications |
Collaborator Contribution | Renishaw are interested in commercialising the results of my research. |
Impact | Non as yet |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Dr Jeremy Allington-Smith |
Organisation | Durham University |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I have worked to invetsigate the astrophotonic applications of ultrafast laser inscription. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Allington-Smith and his team have helped me develop astronomy related applications ofultrafast alser isncription. |
Impact | R. R. Thomson, R. J. Harris, T. A. Birks, G. Brown, J. Allington-Smith, and J. Bland-Hawthorn, "Ultrafast laser inscription of a 121-waveguide fan-out for astrophotonics," Opt. Lett. 37, 2331-2333 (2012) |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Dr Pierre Kern |
Organisation | Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics of Grenoble |
Country | France |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I have used ultrafast laser inscription to develop three-dimensional integrated optical beam combiners for exoplanet imaging using stellar interferometry. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Kern and his team were fully involved in the device development plans and characterisation experiments |
Impact | Airán Ródenas, Guillermo Martin, Brahim Arezki, Nickolas Psaila, Gin Jose, Animesh Jha, Lucas Labadie, Pierre Kern, Ajoy Kar, and Robert Thomson, "Three-dimensional mid-infrared photonic circuits in chalcogenide glass," Opt. Lett. 37, 392-394 (2012) |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Dr Roger Haynes |
Organisation | Leibniz Association |
Department | Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am invetsigtaing the astrophotonic applications of ulrafast laser inscription |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Haynes is investigating astronomical instrumentation applciations of the devices I am developing |
Impact | non as yet |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Prof. Colin Cunningham |
Organisation | UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am investigating the astrophotonic applications of ultrafast alser inscription. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Cunningham and his co-workers are invetsigating astronomical instrumentation applications for the devices I am developing. |
Impact | Performance of volume phase gratings manufactured using ultrafast laser inscription David Lee; Robert R. Thomson; Colin R. Cunningham SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8450 |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Prof. Joss Bland-Hawthorn |
Organisation | University of Sydney |
Department | School of Physics |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Together, Prof. Bland-Hathorn and I have been working together to develop integrated photonics technologies for applications in astronomy / space sciencxe and remote sensing. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Bland-Hawthorn and his team have contributed in discussions about hwo the devices should be developed and the motivation for their development. |
Impact | Thomson, R. R., Optics Express, 19 (6), pp. Birks, T. A., Leon-Saval, S. G., Kar, A. K. and Bland-Hawthorn, J., 2011. Ultrafast laser inscription of an integrated photonic lantern. 5698-5705. R. R. Thomson, R. J. Harris, T. A. Birks, G. Brown, J. Allington-Smith, and J. Bland-Hawthorn, "Ultrafast laser inscription of a 121-waveguide fan-out for astrophotonics," Opt. Lett. 37, 2331-2333 (2012) |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Prof. Tim A. Birks |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I have used the technology of ultrafast laser inscription to develop three-dimensional photonic structures for future applications in astronomy / space science / remote sensing and telecommunications. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Birks has been fully involved in the discussions of how the devices should be fabricated. |
Impact | R. R. Thomson, T. A. Birks, S. G. Leon-Saval, A. K. Kar, and J. Bland-Hawthorn, "Ultrafast laser inscription of an integrated photonic lantern," Opt. Express 19, 5698-5705 (2011) R. R. Thomson, R. J. Harris, T. A. Birks, G. Brown, J. Allington-Smith, and J. Bland-Hawthorn, "Ultrafast laser inscription of a 121-waveguide fan-out for astrophotonics," Opt. Lett. 37, 2331-2333 (2012) |
Start Year | 2010 |
Title | A METHOD OF FORMING AN OPTICAL DEVICE BY LASER SCANNING |
Description | A method of forming an optical device in a body (32), comprises performing a plurality of laser scans (34,36) to form the optical device, each scan comprising relative movement of a laser beam and the body thereby to scan the laser beam along a respective path (34a, 34b 34f; 36a, 36b 36f) through the body to alter the refractive index of material of that path, wherein the paths are arranged to provide in combination a route for propagation of light through the optical device in operation that is larger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the route for propagation of light than any one of the paths individually. |
IP Reference | WO2011154701 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | This is currently being commercialised |
Title | Integrated Photonic Lantersn |
Description | Spatial mulitplexing is a rapidly emerging technology in telecommunications where N channels of data are encoded on N spatial modes. The integrated photonic lantern, which I jhave devleoped during my STFC Advanced Fellowship has the potential to become a key technology for future applcations in spatial multiplexing. |
Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
Year Produced | 2011 |
Impact | This technology is being commercialised by Optoscribe - which I am a co-founder and co-director of. One of our devices was recently used in hero transmission line experiment by a group from Bell labs - published as a postdeadline paper at OFC-2013. |
Company Name | Optoscribe |
Description | Optoscribe designs and manufactures waveguide components, including fiber cable for high-density transmission of light signals. |
Year Established | 2010 |
Impact | Recently, Bell labs presented used one of optoscribes photonic lanterns in a hero transmission line experiment. This was published as a postdealdine at OFC-2013. |
Website | http://www.optoscribe.com |
Description | Presentation at "Meet the experts astronomy week" at Glasgow science centre |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Poster Presentation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | ~200 NA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Since 2010 I have organised >25 outreach talks on behalf of the Institute of Physics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Over the last 6 years these talks have been attended by ~ 1000 attendees NA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2015,2016,2017 |