El objetivo principal de este proyecto es el desarrollo de una cámara óptica multiespectral de alta resolución integrable en plataformas CubeSats diseñada a partir de nanoestructuras para componentes ópticos (lentes y filtros multiespectrales). La incorporación de estos nuevos nanomateriales en el diseño de la cámara óptica dotará al sistema de una alta resistencia al entorno espacial, como variaciones extremas de temperatura y exposición a la radiación, así como una mejora de las propiedades ópticas (transmisividad, reflectividad). Esto proporcionará un alto valor añadido tecnológico a la cámara con respecto a sus competidores dentro del mercado de pequeños satélites para Observación de la Tierra.

Scalable Two-Dimensional Quantum Integrated Photonics, S2QUIP, will develop scalable cost-effective on-chip quantum photonic hybrid microsystems by integrating two-dimensional semiconductor materials (2DSMs) in state-of-the-art CMOS compatible nanophotonic circuits. S2QUIP will take advantage of the recent emergence of 2DSMs to achieve an efficient and coherent spin-photon interface incorporated into complex on-chip quantum photonic circuits resulting in portable, low-power consumption and market-scalable quantum photonics technologies. The use of 2DSMs provides extraordinary advantages over traditional semiconductor materials previously employed, due to their atomically-flat nature and intrinsic physical properties. Single photon generation in visible wavelengths has recently been demonstrated with 2DSMs, paving the way for S2QUIP to generate entangled photon states at record rates that will unlock new quantum technologies.

The S2QUIP project has received founding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 820423.

PhotOQuanT project is funded by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR). It aims to develop photonic and optomechanical sensors for realising future quantum and nanoscaled temperature standards.

For a wide range of processes, from consumer electronics to space instrumentation, there is a growing need to make temperature measurements at smaller scales. The range of currently available thermometers, however, cannot meet the challenge. Nanotechnology now offers the possibility of innovative ‘optomechanical’ sensors capable of measuring temperature on micrometre length scales. Not only could these new temperature sensors replace the standard high-accuracy platinum resistance thermometers but, embedded into production processes, many industrial users could benefit from the technology.

This project will design, fabricate, and characterise different photonic and optomechanical systems for temperature measurement. Calibration methods will also be developed to make the sensors traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). Beyond sensing capability on the micro- and nano-scale, other advantages include reduced cost, better portability and robustness, and increased resistance to mechanical shock and electrical interference. Additionally, optomechanical sensors could be developed as a future quantum-based primary standard for temperature measurement.