Super-Pixels: Redefining the way we sense the world.

We investigate the world around us predominantly through measurements of optical intensity. Although powerful, this leaves the other fundamental optical degrees of freedom, phase and polarisation, under-utilized. This since the static sensor technology that is available, offer limited ability to dynamically reconfigure the function or perform optical processing. In Super-Pixels we will co-develop a new sensor platform that will revolutionize the way we detect and process light. In Superpixels, we will create an integrated photonics device that is based on a mesh of hundreds of Mach-Zehnder interferometers, which will be used to dynamically map phase and polarization, with the ability to fully transform any optical field. A prototype system will be combined with a commercial camera to enhance its functionality. This will support potential applications such as visualising nano-particles, imaging through multimode fibre endoscopes, and improving quantum communication links.