Ultrafast laser inscription of mid-IR integrated optics for astronomy

The development of integrated optical (IO) circuits for mid-IR radiation (wavelengths from ~3 to ~30 μm) is of significant interest for applications in bio-sensing and astronomy. With specific reference to astronomy, the mid-IR spectrum is of particular interest since this is the region where objects such as planets, at earth-like temperatures, can be probed. It is also the region where biomarkers such as H₂O, CO₂ and O₃ can be identified.