Quantum technology is evolving into a new paradigm for information processing, communication, and sensing. For example, quantum sensors promise unparalleled sensitivity and resolution. But how do these key advantages translate into practical superiority?
The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was the first aircraft to operate from the surface of another planet, exploring the Jezero Crater on Mars over the course of nearly three years from 2021-2024. In this talk I will discuss how Ingenuity came to be and the many challenges of developing an aircraft unlike any other from scratch, with a particular focus on navigation and related sensing. Ingenuity’s mission on Mars was to consist of up to 5 demonstration flights over benign, pre-scouted terrain, but was unexpectedly extended after the first few flights. I will discuss how the Ingenuity operations team was able to turn Ingenuity into a long-range explorer without advance preparation, focusing in particular on navigation challenges.
Since the 1990 Silicon photonics was a suggested to be a good option to replace traditional discrete optic by moving to integrated photonics. The 'selling point' was that the use of CMOS manufacturing and existing infrastructure can be shared and reused by photonics industry. In my talk, I will go over the evolution of the silicon photonics industry through my experience working on various projects of the past 2 decades.
