Third-generation gravitational wave detectors will use large mirrors isolated from seismic motion at low frequency, and also cooled down to cryogenic temperatures. To fulfil these two specifications, the E-TEST project explores the possibility of using a purely non-contact radiative cooling strategy. Based on cooling predictions, the paper includes a detailed design of the cryostat and the assembly procedure. A test campaign demonstrated that the proposed strategy succeeded in bringing the temperature of a [Figure presented] dummy mirror down to [Figure presented] in 19 days. These encouraging results are paving the way toward a fully radiative approach for cooling the mirrors of the future Einstein Telescope.

In this paper, we propose to explore the infrared (IR) behavior of multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs). IR MLDOEs are designed for the development of space instruments dedicated to Earth observation. The phase effect of the MLDOE on a paraxial plane wave is studied using exact kinoform shapes for each layer. The modeling of the optical path difference uses thin element approximation. Until now, MLDOEs have been designed and simulated on ray-tracing software with binary diffractive layers. In this study, after passing through the MLDOE, the field is propagated using a method that utilizes the angular spectrum of plane waves. The Strehl ratio is used to determine the “best focus” plane, where it is shown that the focalization efficiency is above 95% for the working order in the mid- and long-wave IR bands. This result, along with the very low energy content of the other orders, proves the strong imaging potential of MLDOEs for dual-band applications. It is also demonstrated that the MLDOE has the same chromatic behavior as standard DOEs, making it a very useful component for IR achromatization.

Infrared (IR) remote sensing offers a huge range of applications, mostly addressing make-or-break issues of our century (crops water content monitoring, forest fires and volcanic eruption detection and imaging, etc.). These applications fall under different spectral bands, known as mid and long-wave infrared, which are very hard to combine in a single compact instrument. In this article we propose to explore the infrared (IR) behaviour of a dual-band diffractive component: the multilayer diffractive optical element (MLDOE). We use and discuss the thin element approximation as a valid phase model. Using Fourier optics, we are able to simulate the resulting image of the MLDOE. Thereby, ray-tracing software are not accurate to model a complex diffractive component. The Strehl ratio is used to determine the focalization efficiency for the working order, which is above 95% in the mid and long-wave infrared bands. This result, along with the very low energy content of the other orders, proves the strong imaging potential of MLDOEs for dual-band applications. It is also demonstrated that the MLDOE has the same chromatic behaviour as standard DOEs, making it a very useful component for infrared achromatization.

High contrast imaging at small inner working angles can be achieved using a vector vortex coronagraph in the focal plane of the telescope providing a helical phase ramp with a singularity at its center. The form birefringence of full-diamond subwavelength gratings has proven to be well suited to manufacture such vortex phase masks for coronagraphic applications (Subwavelength Grating Vortex Coronagraph, SGVC). In the past years our group has developed and manufactured SGVCs of topological charge 2 (Annular Groove Phase Mask, AGPM) made of a concentric diamond subwavelength grating. For future applications including ELT-class telescopes in the near-to mid-infrared that will partly resolve nearby stars, it is however useful to increase the topological charge of the vortex. After shortly reviewing our previous attempts at optimizing the grating structure for SGVC of charge 4, we present the first laboratory results obtained with such devices. We then introduce and discuss more realistic simulations compared to prior studies using finite-difference time-domain methods. The quality of the simulation results obtained with the open source software MEEP for an AGPM is shown to be appropriate for developing and assessing the performance of future vortex phase masks. We therefore perform updated simulations for SGVC of charge 4 including various designs with straight and curved grating lines. We conclude with a perspective on the potential of metasurfaces and their applications to design novel vortex coronagraphs based on subwavelength structures.

In light of this experience, in the fall of 2016, the University of Liège (ULiège) assembled a panel of experts in a unique ideation session aiming at systematically and quickly identifying innovative scientific missions for nanosatellites / CubeSats. Among the many ideas that emerged from this process, the ULiège selected the concept of an earth observation 3U CubeSat and corresponding ground segment to produce images in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) with a resolution of at least 50 m, dedicated to measure the hydric stress of vegetation. This monitoring would allow farmers to provide optimal irrigation to their crops and thus will lead to spare drinkable water. Performing useful MWIR imaging from a 3U CubeSat would be a World’s first. Ultimately, a constellation would be required to provide the necessary daily re-visit rate. In order to prove the concept a demonstrator, called OUFTI-Next, will first be produced.

In this article, we propose a new solar concentrator based on spectral splitting of sunlight. Spectral splitting has the objective to collect different spectra onto spectrally adapted solar cells for a more efficient use of the Sun's spectrum. Its combination with solar concentration makes an alternative to classical technologies. The proposed concentrator is composed of a diffractive/refractive optical element that spectrally splits and focuses the light onto a waveguide. The light is then conducted by total internal reflection towards the two specific solar cells. The optical concept and optimization of each element is presented in this paper. An adaptation for dye sensitized solar cells is performed. A geometrical factor around 5× is reached. Finally, theoretical optical efficiency, the manufacturing process and experimental testing with a collimated Sun simulator are presented.

This paper presents recent improvements of our new solar concentrator design for space application. The concentrator is based on a combination of a diffraction grating (blazed or lamellar) coupled with a Fresnel lens. Thanks to this diffractive/refractive combination, this optical element splits spatially and spectrally the light and focus approximately respectively visible light and IR light onto electrically independent specific cells. It avoid the use of MJs cells and then also their limitations like current matching and lattice matching conditions, leading theoretically to a more tolerant system. The concept is reminded, with recent optimizations, ideal and more realistic results, and the description of an experimental realization highlighting the feasibility of the concept and the closeness of theoretical and experimental results.

This paper presents a new design of a planar solar concentrator with spectral splitting of light for space applications. This concentrator spectrally splits the incident light into mainly two parts. Each part is then focused onto specific spatially separated photovoltaic cells allowing for independent control of respective cells' output power. These advantages of both spectral splitting and light focusing are combined here because of a specific diffraction grating superimposed on a Fresnel lens. The theoretical principle of the optical design is presented with optimization of each element and improvement steps including optimization of grating period evolution along the lens and testing of two kinds of gratings (a blazed and a lamellar one). First numerical results are presented highlighting the possibility to design a concentrator at about 10× or more for each cell with an output power larger than that of a classical concentrator focusing on a GaAs single junction cell and less than 10% of losses for tracking errors up to ±0.8°. Some experimental results are also presented.

This paper presents a new design of a planar solar concentrator for space applications. The concentrator focuses light onto two spatially separated photovoltaic cells, allowing for independent control of the output power of each cell. Thanks to a blazed diffraction grating superimposed on a Fresnel lens, advantages of both spectral splitting and light focusing can be combined. The theoretical model of the optical design is presented, with the optimization of either element. Moreover, configuration improvement is proposed: a symmetrical configuration composed of two lenses. First numerical results are presented, highlighting the possibility to design a concentrator at about 10× for each cell, with an optical efficiency of about 75% and less than 10% of losses for tracking errors lower than ±0.9

We present a new solar concentrator concept. This concept is based on spectral splitting. It implies reflective, refractive and diffractive elements that allow two spectrally differentiated beams to reach different and/or unmatched lattice solar cells. The aimed geometrical concentration factor is 5× and the theoretical optical efficiency of that concentrator concept reaches theoretically 82%. The following study will discuss the concept of such a solar concentrator. A practical application to dye sensitized solar cells is given. The manufacturing and design of the element is then exposed. Those elements have been tested in the laboratory. Good agreements with theoretical simulations are demonstrated.

This paper presents a new design of a planar solar concentrator for space applications focusing on two spatially separated PV cells, allowing independent control of output power of each cell. It has the advantages of both spectral splitting and solar concentration by the combination of a blaze transmission diffraction grating and a flat cylindrical Fresnel lens. An optical optimization has been realized and two variations of configuration have been developed to improve tracking tolerance: first, a design completed by secondary reflective concentrators and second, a symmetrical configuration composed of two lenses. First numerical results are presented, highlighting the possibility to design a concentrator at about 10×, with an electrical output power about 290W/m²_lens and less than 10% losses for tracking errors lower than ±0.9°.

A primary optics for solar concentrator made of an achromatic Fresnel doublet has been designed and manufactured. The achromatic Fresnel doublet combines the advantages of plastic lenses without being affected by chromatic aberrations. The performance has been determined experimentally using a homemade continuous solar simulator and compared to paraxial theory and ray-tracing simulations. Experimental results are in good agreement with theory and show that the achromatic Fresnel doublet is tolerant to manufacturing errors and uncertainty on the dispersion of the refractive index: the concentration factor remains above 1600× with an f-number of 2.

To combine achromatic system with cost-effective technology, we propose the use or hybride (refractive/diffractive) and refractive doublets Fresnel lenses. These two technologies have been compared experimentally from an optical point of view.

The linear chromatic aberration (LCA) of several combinations of polycarbonates (PCs) and poly (methyl methacrylates) (PMMAs) as singlet, hybrid (refractive/diffractive) lenses and doublets operating with wavelengths between 380 and 1600 nm – corresponding to a typical zone of interest of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) – are compared. Those comparisons show that the maximum theoretical concentration factor for singlets is limited to about 1000 × at normal incidence and that hybrid lenses and refractive doublets present a smaller LCA increasing the concentration factor up to 5000 × and 2 × 10⁶ respectively. A new achromatization equation more useful than the Abbé equation is also presented. Finally we determined the ideal position of the focal point as a function of the LCA and the geometric concentration which maximizes the flux on the solar cell.

The Annular Groove Phase Mask coronagraph (AGPM) is an intrinsically achromatic vectorial vortex. It consists of integrated subwavelength optical elements whose space-variant polarization properties can be engineered and optimized to synthesize one of the theoretically most efficient coronagraphs. This paper briefly recalls the principles of the AGPM, presents the benefit of its implementation inside a Polarimetrie differential imager, realistic numerical simulations assessing its performances, as well as the current status of the near-infrared and visible prototype manufacturing operations.

The photorefractive holographic camera initially working on large scattering objects has been adapted to observe centimetric to micrometric objects. Application on micro-mechanical systems is presented.

Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing (QALT) is a solution for assessing the reliability of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). A procedure for QALT is shown in this paper and an attempt to assess the reliability level for a batch of MEMS accelerometers is reported. The testing plan is application-driven and contains combined tests: thermal (high temperature) and mechanical stress. Two variants of mechanical stress are used: vibration (at a fixed frequency) and tilting. Original equipment for testing at tilting and high temperature is used. Tilting is appropriate as application-driven stress, because the tilt movement is a natural environment for devices used for automotive and aerospace applications. Also, tilting is used by MEMS accelerometers for anti-theft systems. The test results demonstrated the excellent reliability of the studied devices, the failure rate in the "worst case" being smaller than 10^-7h^-1.