Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
3.4
Journals
Sensors
Special Issues
Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes
sensors-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sensors Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensing and Imaging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2025 | Viewed by 4198

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Donglin Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: freeform optics design; optical system development; astronomical optics; computational imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of astronomy is always linked with advanced optical instruments. The electromagnetic spectrum observed by astronomical telescopes provides us the leading information sources to understand the universe. Astronomers first used visible light to study the universe, then expanded to non-visible light such as radio waves, infrared rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, and gamma-rays. The exciting thing is that gravitational waves are utilized to conduct research on the growth of the universe and the evolution of celestial bodies, which is far from being an extension of the electromagnetic spectrum.

All of the deployed and on-going observatories require continuous improvements in terms of large and precision optical surface fabrication and advanced telescope system development. There are still many challenges in advanced optics and sensing technologies for telescopes, such as insights on the relationship between the science objectives and the telescope requirements, novel optical design methods for telescopes, sensors for telescope control system, accurate optical surface testing, optical coating for the particular application, active and adaptive optics technology, and stray light suppression to reduce cost and engineering risk. Therefore, the current state of the pivotal technologies and effective solutions to the presented challenges for telescope system are the key areas of this Special Issue.

The areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Designs of modern large optical telescopes;
  • Telescopes for gravitational wave detection;
  • Aspherical and freeform mirrors for high-resolution telescopes;
  • High-energy optical/IR/FIR detectors;
  • Wavefront sensing and wavefront control;
  • Active and adaptive optics and laser guide star facility;
  • Advanced manufacture technology for large-aperture telescopes;
  • Control systems and structural, mechanical, and thermal engineering;
  • High-resolution spectrometer for telescopes.

Dr. Donglin Ma
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • telescope design
  • telescope mirror fabrication
  • telescope mirror testing
  • telescope interferometry
  • adaptive optics
  • wavefront sensing
  • telescope coating technology
  • astronomical instrumentation
  • telescope spectrometer

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

9 pages, 4010 KiB  
Communication
Broadband Achromatic Hybrid Metalens Module with 100° Field of View for Visible Imaging
by Peixuan Wu, Xingyi Li, Yuanyuan Xing, Jiaojiao Wang, Wujie Zheng, Zekun Wang and Yaoguang Ma
Sensors 2025, 25(10), 3202; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25103202 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2025
Abstract
Conventional metalenses struggle with chromatic aberration and narrow field of view (FOV), making it challenging to meet the dispersion requirements for large apertures and compensate off-axis aberrations for wide FOV. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid metalens module consisting of five refractive plastic lenses [...] Read more.
Conventional metalenses struggle with chromatic aberration and narrow field of view (FOV), making it challenging to meet the dispersion requirements for large apertures and compensate off-axis aberrations for wide FOV. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid metalens module consisting of five refractive plastic lenses and a polarization-insensitive metalens to achieve broadband achromatic imaging within 400–700 nm and a wide FOV up to 100°. The system exhibits negligible variation in focal length (~1.2%) across the visible range (460–656 nm) and consistently achieves modulation transfer function (MTF) values > 0.2 at 167 lp/mm across all wavelengths and incident angles. We also demonstrate integrated lens modules that capture high-quality images from distances ranging between 0.5 and 4 m without post-processing, showcasing its potential for compact, wide-angle optical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4849 KiB  
Article
Candidate Sites for Millimeter and Submillimeter Ground-Based Telescopes: Atmospheric Rating for the Eurasian Submillimeter Telescopes Project
by Artem Y. Shikhovtsev, Pavel G. Kovadlo and Philippe Baron
Sensors 2025, 25(7), 2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25072144 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
Modern sensing technologies used in the field of ground-based telescopes still present several challenges. First of all, these challenges are associated with the development of new-generation instruments for astronomical observations and with the influence of Earth’s atmosphere on radiation in various ranges of [...] Read more.
Modern sensing technologies used in the field of ground-based telescopes still present several challenges. First of all, these challenges are associated with the development of new-generation instruments for astronomical observations and with the influence of Earth’s atmosphere on radiation in various ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. The atmosphere is often the main factor determining the technical characteristics of the instruments in both the optical and millimeter ranges. In particular, for millimeter/submillimeter telescopes, water vapor is the main gas that determines atmospheric opacity. The correct assessment of water vapor makes it possible to estimate the optical opacity of the atmosphere and, on this basis, the capabilities of the millimeter/submillimeter telescope and the limitations of its use in the mode of very long baseline interferometry. Many studies seek to effectively characterize water vapor content and dynamics for site-testing purposes regarding ground-based millimeter and submillimeter telescope application. In the present article, we study the water vapor content within a fairly large region, which has been poorly covered in the modern literature. Based on the ERA-5 reanalysis data as a site-testing-oriented tool, we obtained spatial distributions of the precipitable water vapor (PWV) within a large region (20∘N–70∘N, 35∘E–120∘E). These distributions of PWV were corrected with respect to the characteristic vertical scale of water vapor Heff and the relative height difference in the grid nodes in the ERA-5. The calculated values of PWV are highly correlated with the Global Navigation Satellite System-derived PWV, with Pearson coefficients greater than 0.9. Using the refined estimations, we determined the median values of atmospheric opacities corresponding to new prospective sites (Khulugaisha Peak and Tashanta) as well as the Special Astrophysical Observatory (the key astronomical observatory in Russia). Together with Ali in China, Khulugaisha Peak and Tashanta are considered by us as potential sites for the placement of a millimeter/submillimeter telescope within the framework of the project of the Eurasian Submillimeter Telescopes. The results obtained in this paper suggest promising atmospheric conditions for astronomic observations, at least in the millimeter range. In particular, we believe that this study will be a basis for the Eurasian Submillimeter Telescopes (ESMT) project, within the framework of which it is assumed to create a number of ground-based millimeter/submillimeter telescopes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6433 KiB  
Article
High-Performance Telescope System Design for Space-Based Gravitational Waves Detection
by Huiru Ji, Lujia Zhao, Zichao Fan, Rundong Fan, Jiamin Cao, Yan Mo, Hao Tan, Zhiyu Jiang and Donglin Ma
Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7309; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227309 - 15 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1002
Abstract
Space-based gravitational wave (GW) detection employs the Michelson interferometry principle to construct ultra-long baseline laser interferometers in space for detecting GW signals with a frequency band of 10−4–1 Hz. The spaceborne telescope, as a core component directly integrated into the laser [...] Read more.
Space-based gravitational wave (GW) detection employs the Michelson interferometry principle to construct ultra-long baseline laser interferometers in space for detecting GW signals with a frequency band of 10−4–1 Hz. The spaceborne telescope, as a core component directly integrated into the laser link, comes in various configurations, with the off-axis four-mirror design being the most prevalent. In this paper, we present a high-performance design based on this configuration, which exhibits a stable structure, ultra-low wavefront aberration, and high-level stray light suppression capabilities, effectively eliminating background noise. Also, a scientifically justified positioning of the entrance and exit pupils has been implemented, thereby paving adequate spatial provision for the integration of subsequent optical systems. The final design realizes a wavefront error of less than λ/500 in the science field of view, and after tolerance allocation and Monte Carlo analysis, a wavefront error of less than λ/30 can be achieved with a probability of 92%. The chief ray spot diagram dimensions are significantly small, indicating excellent control of pupil aberrations. Additionally, the tilt-to-length (TTL) noise and stray light meet the stringent requirements for space-based gravitational wave detection. The refined design presented in this paper proves to be a more fitting candidate for GW detection projects, offering more accurate and rational guidance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2014 KiB  
Article
Measurement Campaign of Radio Frequency Interference in a Portion of the C-Band (4–5.8 GHz) for the Sardinia Radio Telescope
by Luca Schirru and Francesco Gaudiomonte
Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6481; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196481 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1099
Abstract
Radio frequency interference (RFI) analysis is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of a radio telescope and the quality of astronomical observations, as human-generated interference can compromise scientific data collection. The aim of this study is to present the results of an RFI [...] Read more.
Radio frequency interference (RFI) analysis is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of a radio telescope and the quality of astronomical observations, as human-generated interference can compromise scientific data collection. The aim of this study is to present the results of an RFI measurement campaign in the frequency range of 4–5.8 GHz, a portion of the well-known C-band, for the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), conducted in October–November 2023. In fact, this Italian telescope, managed by the Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari (OAC), a branch of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), was recently equipped with a new C-band receiver that operates from 4.2 GHz to 5.6 GHz. The measurements were carried out at three strategically chosen locations around the telescope using the INAF mobile laboratory, providing comprehensive coverage of all possible antenna pointing directions. The results revealed several sources of RFI, including emissions from radar, terrestrial and satellite communications, and wireless transmissions. Characterizing these sources and assessing their frequency band occupation are essential for understanding the impact of RFI on scientific observations. This work provides a significant contribution to astronomers who will use the SRT for scientific observations, offering a suggestion for the development of mitigation strategies and safeguarding the radio astronomical environment for future observational campaigns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1883 KiB  
Article
Geometry Selection in Three-Mirror Freeform Imagers with an Accessible Exit Pupil
by Aaron Bauer, Eric M. Schiesser and Jannick P. Rolland
Sensors 2024, 24(15), 4816; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24154816 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1171
Abstract
Reimaging telescopes have an accessible exit pupil that facilitates stray light mitigation and matching to auxiliary optical systems. Freeform surfaces present the opportunity for unobscured reflective systems to be folded into geometries that are otherwise impracticable with conventional surface types. It is critical, [...] Read more.
Reimaging telescopes have an accessible exit pupil that facilitates stray light mitigation and matching to auxiliary optical systems. Freeform surfaces present the opportunity for unobscured reflective systems to be folded into geometries that are otherwise impracticable with conventional surface types. It is critical, however, to understand the limitations of the enabled folding geometries and choose the one that best balances the optical performance and mechanical requirements. Here, we used the aberration theory of freeform surfaces to determine the aberration correction potential for using freeform surfaces in reimaging three-mirror telescopes and established a hierarchy for the different folding geometries without using optimization. We found that when using freeform optics, the ideal folding geometry had 9× better wavefront performance compared to the next best geometry. Within that ideal geometry, the system using freeform optics had 39% better wavefront performance compared to a system using off-axis asphere surfaces, thus quantifying one of the advantages of freeform optics in this design space. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optics and Sensing Technologies for Telescopes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop