Astrophysics gets an optical boost

Scientists at the Grenoble Astrophysics Institute recently made a major advancement in telescope technology by replacing conventional mirror-and-lens systems with Leti’s integrated optical chip. The pioneering system they installed in the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile uses an unprecedented four telescopes simultaneously, with any number of possible combinations. Moreover, the first images were obtained in just four days, vs. the six months typically required, with incredibly high resolution—high enough to see a screw head from 300 kilometers away!

Leti, which is already developing other integrated optical chips for astrophysics applications, is working on new functions that could be useful in major industries like telecoms.

Contact: pierre.labeye@cea.fr

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