DEFINITION:

Covers the development and application of technologies combining photonics (i.e. circuits handling photons) with electronics to achieve given functions.

It includes:

1.Laser Technologies: covering the technologies and techniques needed for the generation of coherent optical radiation.

2.Detector Technologies: covering all the technologies and techniques needed for the detection of optical radiation.

3.Photonics: Covers guided-wave optical technologies and techniques for handling optical signals, or to achieve specific functions for various applications.

(Source: ESA TD 17A, 17B, 17C) (Note: it also exists a strong relationship with area 1-I)

 

SUBDOMAINS:

1.1 Laser Sources: Covers continuous wave (CW) lasers and pulsed diode-pumped bulk solid-state lasers (e.g. Nd:YAG, etc.), mode-augmented diode lasers for the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region (VCSEL, ECLD, etc.), mode- augmented quantum cascade lasers (QCL) and GaN for the mid-IR and visible spectral regions respectively, LEDs, diode-pumped rare Earth (RE) doped waveguide lasers, doped fibre lasers, etc.

1.2 Laser Pumping: Covers laser-diode arrays LDA (CW and QCW), high-power single emitter (CW) diode sources and related pump-packaging issues, flash-lamp, solar pump, electron-beam, etc. Implementation of efficient spectral  control of LDA emission.

1.3 Laser Oscillators and Amplifiers: Geometrical mode control of both stable and unstable resonator designs. Mode matching techniques and device technologies, etc. Q-switched and mode-locking  techniques. Laser amplifier stages, coherent power control and combination. Amplifier designs for CW and pulsed applications; bulk amplifiers, flared semiconductor amplifiers, doped fibre amplifiers.

1.4 Laser Frequency Control and Stabilisation: Covers laser cavity length control and tuning techniques, injection locking and seeding, for frequency control. Covers frequency stabilisation and locking techniques using optical stabilizing reference cavities (OSRC) for phase control and the achievement of sub-Hz line widths and absolute frequency locking to narrow spectral features. Implementation of electronic-optical feedback techniques for linewidth reduction. Development and implementation of methods to reduce the Thermal Noise Limit (TNL) on SRC optics. Development and verification of novel methods to achieve sub-mHz linewidth emission.

1.5 Non-Linear Optics: Covers harmonic generation, non-linear crystals and poled waveguide materials, parametric conversion, multi-photon processes, stimulated light scattering, spatial laser beam cleaning using phase conjugated mirrors, saturable absorbers, etc.

2.1 Visible Detectors (mostly Si based): Covers single-pixel (photodiodes), linear and 2D arrays, CCD and CMOS image sensors (APS), APDs, APD arrays, SiPM arrays.

2.2 Infrared detectors. (NIR–FIR): Covers both photon and thermal technologies, including MCT, InGaAs, III-V, QWIP, QDIP, T2SL, microbolometers, pyroelectrics.

2.3 UV, X-ray & Gamma-Ray Detectors: Covers Si, wide bandgap semiconductors, scintillators.

2.4 Superconducting Detectors: Covers HEB, SINIS-junctions, heterodyne mixers, …

2.5 Superconducting Devices: Including low-temperature and high-temperature superconducting devices and sensors such as SQUIDs, Josephson-type junctions, gradiometers, etc.

2.6 Focal Plane Technologies: Covers component technologies, integration, accommodation techniques, proximity electronics, interconnects (e.g. flex circuits), filters and windows

3.1 RF Photonics: Covers photonic devices for generation, handling and distribution of microwave signals on board satellites, frequency down-conversion, time delay, RF signal phase and amplitude control, optical beamforming and distribution networks, on board optical links & interconnects, etc.

3.2 Micro- & Nano-Photonics: Covers photonic IC technologies, hybrid and monolithic integration of active and passive functions in various material systems including silica and semiconductor materials. Silicon photonics for on-chip optical functions.

3.3 Fibre-Optic Sensors: Covers pressure, temperature and strain sensors, including interrogation units for satellites, platforms and launchers.

3.4 Optical Atomic Clocks: Covers laser cooling and trapping techniques for atoms, ions and molecules, optical frequency combs based on mode-locked lasers and ultra-high-Q microcavities. Includes also fibre-optic and free-space optical frequency dissemination over large distances, subsystem integration and verification into clock systems, space qualification of subsystem elements.

3.5 Quantum Devices: Covers laser-cooled atom sensors including atom interferometers, magnetometers, photon confinement and trapping techniques leading to BECs, atomic-scale sensing devices, etc. Implementation of laser-cooled and coherent population trapping (CPT) and the technology required for its implementation; chip gas cells, etc.