Dr. Zoran Sodnik Profile

Dr. Zoran Sodnik

Head of Optoelectronics Section at European Space Agency ESA / ESTEC

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Program Committee | Conference Chair | Author | Editor

Publications (48)

PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | April 13, 2018

MAI2 nulling breadboard based on integrated optics: test results

Proc. SPIE. 10568, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2004

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | April 13, 2018

High-precision optical metrology for Darwin: design and performance

Proc. SPIE. 10568, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2004

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | April 13, 2018

EADS Astrium nulling interferometer breadboard for DARWIN and GENIE

Proc. SPIE. 10568, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2004

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 15, 2018

European deep-space optical communication program

Proc. SPIE. 10524, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXX

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Sun, Space operations

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 15, 2018

OPTEL-D: an optical communication system for the deep space

Proc. SPIE. 10524, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXX

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Electronics, Satellites, Interfaces, Receivers, Telecommunications, Optical communications, Laser communications, Space operations, Data communications, Free space optical communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 21, 2017

MEMS deformable mirror for wavefront correction of large telescopes

Proc. SPIE. 10569, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2000

KEYWORDS: Microelectromechanical systems, Actuators, Monochromatic aberrations, Telescopes, Mirrors, Electrodes, Wavefront sensors, Wavefronts, Deformable mirrors, Micromachined deformable membrane mirrors

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 21, 2017

QIPS: quantum information and quantum physics in space

Proc. SPIE. 10567, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2006

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Telescopes, Polarization, Signal attenuation, Photons, Single photon, Receivers, Quantum physics, Quantum information, Quantum communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 20, 2017

Super-light-weighted HB-Cesic mirror cryogenic test

Proc. SPIE. 10565, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2010

KEYWORDS: Monochromatic aberrations, Mirrors, Polishing, Coating, Computer aided design, Astronomical imaging, Optics manufacturing, Cryogenics, Surface finishing, Temperature metrology

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 25, 2017

Design of the optical communication system for the asteroid impact mission

Proc. SPIE. 10562, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2016

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Modulation, Sensors, Receivers, Space telescopes, Optical communications, Astronomical imaging, Laser communications, Space operations, Asteroids

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 25, 2017

The asteroid impact mission: testing laser communication in deep-space

Proc. SPIE. 10562, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2016

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 25, 2017

The ESA's optical ground station for the EDRS-A LCT in-orbit test campaign: upgrades and test results

Proc. SPIE. 10562, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2016

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 25, 2017

Use of adaptive optics in ground stations for high data rate satellite-to-ground links

Proc. SPIE. 10562, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2016

KEYWORDS: Actuators, Telescopes, Cameras, Sensors, Satellites, Receivers, Adaptive optics, Space telescopes, Astronomical imaging, Laser communications

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SPIE Conference Volume | September 25, 2017

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2016

PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | August 30, 2017

Simulating the performance of adaptive optics techniques on FSO communications through the atmosphere

Proc. SPIE. 10408, Laser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans VI

KEYWORDS: Optical design, Satellites, Wavefronts, Adaptive optics, Optical communications, Free space optics, Satellite communications, Laser guide stars, Atmospheric turbulence, Atmospheric optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 24, 2017

Laser based bi-directional Gbit ground links with the Tesat transportable adaptive optical ground station

Proc. SPIE. 10096, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXIX

KEYWORDS: Clocks, Satellites, Receivers, Adaptive optics, Telecommunications, Optical communications, Relays, Space operations, Quantum key distribution, Data communications, Atmospheric optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | October 31, 2014

High operating temperature SWIR HgCdTe APDs for remote sensing

Proc. SPIE. 9254, Emerging Technologies in Security and Defence II; and Quantum-Physics-based Information Security III

KEYWORDS: Staring arrays, Mid-IR, Short wave infrared radiation, Avalanche photodetectors, Mercury cadmium telluride, LIDAR, Sensors, Electrons, Single photon, Free space optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 6, 2014

LLCD operations using the Lunar Lasercom OGS Terminal

Proc. SPIE. 8971, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXVI

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Telescopes, Modulation, Cameras, Satellites, Receivers, Space telescopes, Laser communications, Space operations

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 6, 2014

Transmitter diversity verification on ARTEMIS geostationary satellite

Proc. SPIE. 8971, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXVI

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Telescopes, Mirrors, Beam splitters, Cameras, Sensors, Satellites, Turbulence, Scintillation, Visibility

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 6, 2014

Overview and results of the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration

Proc. SPIE. 8971, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXVI

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Video, Multiplexing, Clouds, Space telescopes, Time division multiplexing, Laser communications, Space operations, Data communications, Laser systems engineering

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | May 13, 2013

A lateral sensor for the alignment of two formation-flying satellites

Proc. SPIE. 8788, Optical Measurement Systems for Industrial Inspection VIII

KEYWORDS: CMOS sensors, Metrology, Sun, Cameras, Sensors, Calibration, Satellites, Image processing, Semiconductor lasers, Space operations

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 29, 2010

Adaptive optics for satellite-to-ground laser communication at the 1m Telescope of the ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Spain

Proc. SPIE. 7736, Adaptive Optics Systems II

KEYWORDS: Actuators, Telescopes, Cameras, Satellites, Wavefront sensors, Adaptive optics, Space telescopes, Telecommunications, Satellite communications, Laser communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 23, 2010

Recent achievements with a cryogenic ultra-lightweighted HB-Cesic mirror

Proc. SPIE. 7739, Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation

KEYWORDS: Monochromatic aberrations, Mirrors, Polishing, Coating, Inspection, Space mirrors, Phase transfer function, Cryogenics, Surface finishing, Temperature metrology

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 22, 2010

The NULLTIMATE test bench: achromatic phase shifters for nulling interferometry

Proc. SPIE. 7734, Optical and Infrared Interferometry II

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Refractive index, Mirrors, Polarization, Interferometers, Germanium, Optical benches, K band, Nulling interferometry, Phase shifts

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 26, 2010

Optical satellite communications in Europe

Proc. SPIE. 7587, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XXII

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Satellites, Semiconductor lasers, Space telescopes, Telecommunications, Optical communications, Satellite communications, Laser communications, Space operations, Data communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | August 21, 2009

Adaptive optics and ESA's optical ground station

Proc. SPIE. 7464, Free-Space Laser Communications IX

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Modulation, Interferometers, Satellites, Adaptive optics, Space telescopes, Optical communications, Satellite communications, Laser communications, Data communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 28, 2008

Tests of achromatic phase shifters performed on the SYNAPSE test bench: a progress report

Proc. SPIE. 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry

KEYWORDS: Optical filters, Prisms, Lithium, Interferometers, Sensors, Single mode fibers, Prototyping, K band, Nulling interferometry, Phase shifts

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 25, 2007

Observation of atmospheric influence on OICETS inter-orbit laser communication demonstrations

Proc. SPIE. 6709, Free-Space Laser Communications VII

KEYWORDS: Data modeling, Sensors, Satellites, Telecommunications, Satellite communications, Earth's atmosphere, Laser communications, Atmospheric modeling, Atmospheric optics, Channel projecting optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | October 16, 2006

Free-space quantum key distribution over 144 km

Proc. SPIE. 6399, Advanced Free-Space Optical Communication Techniques/Applications II and Photonic Components/Architectures for Microwave Systems and Displays

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Telescopes, Polarization, Satellites, Photons, Receivers, Space telescopes, Optical tracking, Free space optics, Quantum key distribution

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 1, 2006

OICETS on-orbit laser communication experiments

Proc. SPIE. 6105, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVIII

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Satellites, Telecommunications, Frequency modulation, Optical communications, Fermium, Free space optics, Satellite communications, Laser communications, Free space optical communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 13, 2005

Ground-to-space optical communication characterization

Proc. SPIE. 5892, Free-Space Laser Communications V

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Satellites, Space telescopes, Turbulence, Optical communications, Scintillation, Satellite communications, Atmospheric turbulence, Space operations

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 11, 2004

Propagation statistics of ground-satellite optical links with different turbulence conditions

Proc. SPIE. 5572, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems VII

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Satellites, Turbulence, Scintillation, Atmospheric turbulence, Laser communications, Space operations, Atmospheric propagation, Atmospheric modeling, Atmospheric optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 11, 2004

Performance of satellite-to-ground communications link between ARTEMIS and the Optical Ground Station

Proc. SPIE. 5572, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems VII

KEYWORDS: Statistical analysis, Satellites, Receivers, Space telescopes, Turbulence, Optical communications, Scintillation, Satellite communications, Laser communications, Space operations

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | October 20, 2004

ESA's bidirectional space-to-ground laser communication experiments

Proc. SPIE. 5550, Free-Space Laser Communications IV

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Mirrors, Polarization, Sensors, Satellites, Optical tracking, Scintillation, Laser communications, Data communications, CCD image sensors

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | October 20, 2004

Nulling interferometer based on an integrated optics combiner

Proc. SPIE. 5491, New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry

KEYWORDS: Optical filters, Metrology, Stars, Polarization, Interferometers, Wavefronts, Colorimetry, Integrated optics, Information operations, Nulling interferometry

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | October 20, 2004

2.5-Gb/s free-space optics link over 1.1 km with direct fiber coupling to commercial devices

Proc. SPIE. 5550, Free-Space Laser Communications IV

KEYWORDS: Gold, Multimode fibers, Transmitters, Telescopes, Mirrors, Nickel, Receivers, Space telescopes, Free space optics, Optics manufacturing

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | September 30, 2004

TNO TPD contributions to high-precision optical metrology: a Darwin metrology breadboard for ESA

Proc. SPIE. 5528, Space Systems Engineering and Optical Alignment Mechanisms

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Mirrors, Metrology, Interferometers, Sensors, Satellites, Optical metrology, Space telescopes, Beam expanders, Telescopic pixel displays

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | June 16, 2004

Ground-to-satellite optical link tests between Japanese laser communications terminal and European geostationary satellite ARTEMIS

Proc. SPIE. 5338, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVI

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Satellites, Optical testing, Optical communications, Optical tracking, Scintillation, Satellite communications, Atmospheric turbulence, Laser communications, Atmospheric optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | January 27, 2004

Ground-to-satellite bidirectional laser links for validation of atmospheric turbulence model

Proc. SPIE. 5160, Free-Space Laser Communication and Active Laser Illumination III

KEYWORDS: Data modeling, Satellites, Laser beam propagation, Turbulence, Scintillation, Atmospheric turbulence, Atmospheric propagation, Performance modeling, Atmospheric modeling, Atmospheric optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 21, 2003

Nulling breadboard for DARWIN

Proc. SPIE. 4838, Interferometry for Optical Astronomy II

KEYWORDS: Mid-IR, Near infrared, Telescopes, Stars, Interferometers, Wavefronts, Single mode fibers, Space telescopes, Nulling interferometry, Phase shifts

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This work is funded by ESA under ESTEC/Contract No. 14827/00/NL/CK. Astrium Germany has been awarded this first ESA breadboarding towards nulling interferometry. Interferometric nulling devices are essential ingredients in the TPF and DARWIN missions for suppressing the star light by a factor of 10⁶ over a wide wavelength range in the mid infrared. The current DARWIN baseline concept comprises six telescopes. The coherent combination scheme in the nulling mode operation foresees three nulling assemblies in parallel. The breadboard serves to demonstrate the deep and stable null required for an operational instrument. The demonstrator operates in the near infrared to save costs but its principle is fully applicable to the mid infrared. The nulling device is based on an autobalancing Sagnac core offering just one critical beam combiner. Two different ways of achieving the required π phase shift are implemented: a) arbitrary phase shift by dispersive phase shifter plates b) phase shift of π using periscopes (image flip) The target simulator features two point sources of adjustable radiometry and angular separation, representing a strong star and a weak planet. In addition, the sources can be also used to simulate a double star for demonstrating the basic DARWIN imaging mode. The simulator can be operated in two styles, namely as wavefront dividing star/planet source and, alternatively, as an amplitude dividing source, providing highly symmetric wavefronts to both interferometer arms. Because of its representativity for the DARWIN situation, the latter mode is the preferred simulator for quantitative nulling experiments. The breadboard design has been finalized in January 2002 and verified by detailed simulations. The entire hardware has been manufactured by end of July. Currently, nulling and imaging measurements are in progress to validate the per-formance of the selected approach. The project is part of ESA´s technology preparatory program for DARWIN, paving the way for a collaborative ESA/ESO guest instrument at ESO's VLTI with scientific implications.

PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 21, 2003

Nulling interferometric breadboard using integrated optics beam combiners: preparation to the IRSI/DARWIN mission

Proc. SPIE. 4838, Interferometry for Optical Astronomy II

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Stars, Waveguides, Polarization, Interferometers, Interferometry, Integrated optics, Planets, Information operations, Nulling interferometry

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 21, 2003

Darwin ground-based European Nulling Interferometer Experiment (GENIE)

Proc. SPIE. 4838, Interferometry for Optical Astronomy II

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Stars, Interferometers, L band, Clouds, Space telescopes, Infrared radiation, Planets, Jupiter, Nulling interferometry

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | December 9, 2002

Analysis of the preliminary optical links between ARTEMIS and the Optical Ground Station

Proc. SPIE. 4821, Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging II

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Satellites, Receivers, Turbulence, Optical communications, Scintillation, Satellite communications, Atmospheric turbulence, Atmospheric propagation, Atmospheric modeling

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | April 26, 2002

Preliminary results of the in-orbit test of ARTEMIS with the Optical Ground Station

Proc. SPIE. 4635, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIV

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Polarization, Signal attenuation, Satellites, Optical communications, Scintillation, Acquisition tracking and pointing, Satellite communications, Space operations, Data communications

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 28, 2002

Propagation experiments in the near infrared along a 150-km path and from stars in the Canarian archipelago

Proc. SPIE. 4678, Eighth International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics: Atmospheric Physics

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Statistical analysis, Stars, Data modeling, Receivers, Turbulence, Optical communications, Scintillation, Atmospheric propagation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 7, 2000

50-mm MEMS deformable mirror

Proc. SPIE. 4007, Adaptive Optical Systems Technology

KEYWORDS: Actuators, Monochromatic aberrations, Telescopes, Mirrors, Visible radiation, Electrodes, Wavefronts, Deformable mirrors, Space telescopes, Micromachined deformable membrane mirrors

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | November 18, 1998

New development of a long linear array for 11.3- to 12.3-um Earth observation

Proc. SPIE. 3437, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing VI

KEYWORDS: Staring arrays, Long wavelength infrared, Prisms, Mercury cadmium telluride, Sensors, Quantum efficiency, Interference (communication), Diodes, Multiplexers, Optical instrument design

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | April 20, 1995

Design of an optical ground station for in-orbit checkout of free-space laser communication payloads

Proc. SPIE. 2381, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VII

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Telescopes, Speckle, Sensors, Satellites, Space telescopes, Turbulence, Optical communications, Free space optics, Data communications

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