Gilles Orban de Xivry

I am a research staff at PSILab within the STAR institute at the University of Liège, specializing in astronomical instrumentation, adaptive optics (AO), and high-contrast imaging (HCI) for the direct detection and characterization of exoplanets.

Over the past 15 years, I have contributed to major projects, including

• ELT/METIS: Leading the development of non-common path aberration control strategies and serving as the local project manager for ULiège. My work spans all aspects of METIS’ high-contrast imaging modes, from component development and end-to-end HCI simulations, to upcoming performance testing.
• VLT/ERIS: Technical lead for the focal plane coronagraphs (vortex phase masks in L- and M-bands) and supporting scientific exploitation.
• SALTO: responsible for the development of the AO instrument, a robust laser-guided AO demonstrator for astronomy, space debris tracking, and optical telecommunications.
• LBT/ARGOS: Development and on-sky commissioning of the laser-guided ground-layer AO system, including wavefront sensor design and integration.

My research combines theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and on-sky deployment, with a strong emphasis on focal plane wavefront sensing, using various deep learning techniques. I also have a background in extragalactic astronomy, studying the co-evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies using near-infrared integral field spectroscopy.

I hold a PhD in Astronomy from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (2014). Since 2024, I have been appointed as a permanent researcher at ULiège, where I focus on high-contrast imaging and contribute to the development of next-generation instruments like ELT/METIS.

For my curriculum vitae, click here (last update: July 2025).