Far infrared quasi-optical components and metamaterials

The Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG) develops optical components such as filters, dichroics, polarisers and waveplates for far infrared and submillimetre instruments, and supplies them to many of the leading ground-based and space observatories worldwide.

This is a long-standing and highly successful activity within the group. Our innovative developments include the very large area components needed by today’s mm-wave large detector focal planes, filtering for FIR instruments (up to 20 THz), and novel flat lenses using metamaterials.