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The AQUEYE+IQUEYE project
 Our team at the University of Padova and the INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova is engaged in the investigation of very high time resolution astrophysical phenomena in the optical band, down to the limit of Quantum Optics. To this purpose, since 2005 we design, construct and operate instruments with very high time resolution for applications to optical fast photon counting of astrophysical sources and to Quantum Astronomy.
The instruments
Two instruments were built, capable of achieving sub-nanosecond temporal accuracy in the optical band,
AQUEYE+ (Asiago QUantum EYE) and IQUEYE (Italian QUantum EYE). They represent the world recognized leading astronomical instruments for the shortest time scales in visible light. They couple the ultra-high time resolution of Single Photon Avalanche Photodiode (SPAD) detectors with a split-pupil optical concept and a sophisticated timing system. The high quantum efficiency and low temporal jitter, the capability to time tag and store the arrival time of each individual photon with better than 100 ps relative time resolution (less than 0.5 ns absolute time accuracy with respect to UTC), and the possibility to bin the light curve in post-processing in arbitrary time intervals, give Aqueye+ and Iqueye unprecedented capabilities for performing timing studies in the optical band. AQUEYE+ is regularly mounted at the 1.8m Copernicus telescope. IQUEYE was mounted also at the NTT telescope in Chile and at the at the 1.2m Galileo telescope in Asiago, fiber-fed by means of the Iqueye Fiber Interface (IFI). At present, IQUEYE is a new visiting instrument at the Gemini South telescope in Chile.
In 2016 we also started a technological program devoted to efficiently coupling fast photon counting detectors to telescopes by means of multimode optical fibers. The final effort of this activity is the light and compact Extended Fiber Interface (EFI), that has the same capabilities of AQUEYE+ and IQUEYE in terms of time tagging and time resolution.
Observing programmes
The observing programmes presently active include:
High time resolution observations of optical pulsars
Timing of optical transients and counterparts of binary systems with compact objects
Searches for prompt/delayed optical flashes from Fast Radio Bursts and Magnetars
Monitoring the intranight variability of Blazars
Lunar and asteroidal occultations
Stellar intensity interferometry experiments
The observations are often carried out within the framework of multiwavelength campaigns, in synergy with facilities operating from the radio up to the gamma-ray bands.
The AQUEYE+IQUEYE team
Coordination, scientific utilization
Luca Zampieri, Giampiero Naletto
Instrument design, realization, technological development
Cesare Barbieri, Giampiero Naletto, Luca Zampieri
Instrument optics and optomechanics
Giampiero Naletto, Gabriele Umbriaco, Luca Zampieri
Acquisition electronics and instrument software
Michele Fiori, Giampiero Naletto, Luca Zampieri
Technical and operational support
Thomas Forte, Aldo Frigo, Luigi Lessio, Marco Mosele, Luciano Traverso, Giovanni Costa, Paolo Ochner, Marco Fiaschi (MFC Elettronica, Padova)
Photometric and spectroscopic coverage
Ulisse Munari, Paolo Ochner
Observations
Michele Fiori, Alessia Spolon, Luca Zampieri
Science data processing
Michele Fiori, Alessia Spolon, Luca Zampieri
Instrument management team in Chile
Tomàs Cassanelli, Giampiero Naletto, Luca Zampieri
Science team
C. Barbieri (University of Padova)
M. Barbieri (University of Atacama, Copiapo, Chile)
A. Burtovoi (INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri)
P. Casella (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Rome)
T. Cassanelli (University of Chile, Chile)
S. Conforti (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova, University of Padova)
M. Fiori (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova)
G. Illiano (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Rome)
P. Marcone (University of Chile, Chile)
A. Miraval Zanon (A.S.I.)
U. Munari (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova)
G. Naletto (University of Padova)
A. Papitto (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Rome)
A. Spolon (University of Padova)
L. Zampieri (INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova)
P. Zoccarato (ESA)
Teaching, training and outreach
Giampiero Naletto, Paolo Ochner, Luca Zampieri
e-mail: Aqueye+Iqueye Team
Project funded by: INAF Grant "Uncovering the optical beat of the fastest
magnetised neutron stars (FANS)", University of Padova
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