Open AccessOptimizing photonic ring-resonator filters for OH-suppressed near-infrared astronomy
Author(s) -
Pufan Liu,
David A. Czaplewski,
S. C. Ellis,
R. Kehoe,
K. Kuêhn,
H. Spinka,
Nathaniel P. Stern,
D. G. Underwood,
S. Kuhlmann
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
applied optics
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 2155-3165
pISSN - 1559-128X
DOI - 10.1364/ao.421383
Subject(s) - physics , resonator , optics , supernova , infrared , positronium , wavelength , polarization (electrochemistry) , optoelectronics , astronomy , quantum mechanics , positron , electron , chemistry
Near-infrared wavelength observations are crucial for understanding numerous fields of astrophysics, such as supernova cosmology and positronium annihilation detection. However, current ground-based observations suffer from an enormous background due to OH emission in the upper atmosphere. One promising way to solve this problem is to use ring-resonator filters to suppress OH emission lines. In this work, we discuss our optimization of ring-resonator filter performance from five perspectives: resonance wavelength matching, polarization-independent operation, low insertion loss, low-loss coupling to astronomical instruments, and broadband operation. In the end, we discuss next steps needed for reliable supernova and positronium observations, thus providing a roadmap for future advances in near-infrared astronomy.