Development of imaging device beyond the diffraction-limit for infrared astronomy

• Project/Area Number: 25800113
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Astronomy
• Research Institution: Kyoto Sangyo University
• Principal Investigator: FUJISHIRO Naofumi 京都産業大学, 神山天文台, 専門員 (60601789)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
• Keywords: フォトニクス / フォトニック結晶 / 赤外線天文学 / スペース天文学 / 補償光学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I obtained a theoretical solution of photonic crystal superlens which realizes angular resolution beyond the diffraction-limit of an astronomical telescope. The superlens is fabricated by two-photon polymerization technique and can be integrated into infrared astronomical instruments installed in space telescopes or grand-based telescopes with adaptive-optics. I also carried out a trial manufacture of the superlens and a telescope simulator to verify the theoretical model by optical experiment.