Astrophotonics: the rise of integrated photonics in astronomy

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in integrated photonics for astronomy, highlighting its potential to revolutionize observational capabilities, especially with the advent of extremely large telescopes and new astronomical methods.

Contribution

It provides an overview of recent developments in astrophotonics and discusses future prospects for integrated photonics in astronomy.

Findings

Integrated photonics enhances astronomical instrumentation.

Potential for new astronomical techniques with photonics.

Relevance for extremely large telescopes.

Abstract

Astronomers have come to recognize the benefits of photonics, often in combination with optical systems, in solving longstanding experimental problems in Earth-based astronomy. Here, we explore some of the recent advances made possible by integrated photonics. We also look to the future with a view to entirely new kinds of astronomy, particularly in an era of the extremely large telescopes.