Physics Colloquium: The Rise of Astrophotonics: Integrated Optics for Stellar Interferometry, Spectroscopy, and Adaptive Optics

Event Image
physics colloquium banner

Physics Colloquium
The Rise of Astrophotonics: Integrated Optics for Stellar Interferometry, Spectroscopy, and Adaptive Optics

Momen Diab

Postdoctoral Fellow, Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of Toronto

Register for Zoom Link Here

Abstract
:

Integrated astrophotonic devices offer solutions to the growing complexity challenges faced by conventional astronomical instrumentation, especially for the upcoming extremely large telescopes (ELTs) and dense optical arrays. Photonic spectrographs, integrated beam combiners, aperiodic Bragg grating filters, and other innovations have been developed to address the shortcomings of their bulk optics counterparts. In this talk, I will tell the origin story of astrophotonics and highlight the state-of-the-art of integrated instruments under research, including my contributions. I will end by outlining plans to advance the readiness level of multiple technologies necessary for realizing fully integrated adaptive optics-assisted optical telescope arrays.

Bio:
Momen Diab is a postdoctoral fellow at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (University of Toronto). He completed his Ph.D., with a focus on astrophotonics, at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics (AIP) in Potsdam, Germany. His recent research involves investigating photonic solutions for adaptive optics and studying photonic lanterns as enabling technologies for integrated IR astronomical instruments. He has also worked on modeling integrated beam combiners, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), optical fibers, and atmospheric turbulence. Previously, he was part of projects in photonic wavefront sensing and ground-to-satellite laser communication links.

Intended Audience
All are Welcome!

To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu


Contact
Rebecca Day
Event Snapshot
When and Where
March 20, 2024
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Room/Location: 1300
Who

This is an RIT Only Event

Interpreter Requested?

No

Topics
research