Advanced technologies and Instrumentation

The ambitious astrophysics demands require state-of-the-art instrumentation based on advanced technologies. This latter is the focus of the Arcetri technological team, which is active in the most challenging astronomical projects. The team is composed by 40 members with a variety of expertizes: from radio waves to visible light, from ground-based telescopes to satellite observing instruments. Skills in the team include: design and development of single components and complex systems; prototyping and experimental characterization in the Arcetri laboratories; monitoring and measurement of atmosphere parameters; developments of electronic systems and software for monitoring and control purposes; firmware for digital signal processing. The activity is usually conducted by applying the modern system engineering and project management disciplines.

The technological group is involved in the following six areas:

• Adaptive Optics
• Focal Plane Technology for Infrared and Visible Astronomy
• Optical turbulence
• Software Technologies
• Space activities
• Technology for Radio Astronomy
  

Research group

For students

- Thesis proposals (Bachelor and Master degree) http://astro.fisica.unifi.it/tesi/

- courses held by our researchers at University of Florence: 

• Master degree courses:
  • Progettazione di strumentazione ottica
  • Sistemi avionici in Tecnologie Spaziali
  • Ottica adattiva
• Phd courses:
  • Fondamenti di system engineering
  • Interferometria Radio e Ottica 
  • Ottica Adattiva e Turbolenza Ottica