Dr. Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay

Photonics is the physical science of light. It deals with the science behind the generation, detection and manipulation of light. Although the use of photonics in astronomy dates only a few decades, its importance in elevating observational astronomy in multiple frontiers is well appreciated within the community. Among several techniques of photonics, fiber optical systems have made a pronounced effect in the evolution of spectroscopic observation. Multi-mode optical fibers have enabled high etendue observation of galactic and extragalactic sources to provide spatially resolved spectroscopy (hyper-spectral imaging). Multiple observatories and scientific programs across the world have embraced the technology leading to observation of several tens of thousands of objects at unprecedented resolution producing path breaking knowledge of our universe. In this presentation, the speaker would present the landscape of fiber optics instrumentation in astronomy, the typical challenges associated with some examples of his current research, and how such efforts can contribute to ongoing as well as upcoming astronomical programs especially in the context of scientific interests within the Indian Astronomical Community, both ground-based and air-borne. The speaker would also touch upon possible applications of fiber optics technology in other fields such as bio-medical imaging, smart agriculture, remote sensing etc.