The Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronics Technology of CAS focuses on the basic research and application of space active photoelectric technology and system. The main research directions are as follows: space active optical detection mechanism, active opto-electronic emission and regulation technology, active opto-electronics limit detection technology, and new technology research of space active opto-electronics system.

The main research directions of this lab are as follows, the basic theory，the device designing, and related key technology of infrared imaging material devices. The lab aims to the requirements of infrared photoelectric instruments and equipment of China. Developing the high-performance infrared focal plane detector, meeting with the requirements of strategic and tactical infrared remote sensing technology in China for the future application are the long-term goal of this lab. On this basis, the laboratory will provide part of materials and devices to domestic counterparts. Meanwhile, this lab also cooperates with the domestic institutions to carry out some projects. In summary, the laboratory can not only meet the application needs of the infrared focal plane in China but also possess the ability of research and development in related areas.

Laboratory mainly undertakes many major projects, such as national security major research projects, the national key basic research development program project, the key project of national natural science fund, Chinese Academy of Sciences to support projects. At the same time, several projects on the aerospace field have been finished successively, such as manned space engineering, the series of the meteorological satellite, ocean satellite, satellite environment, etc.

The laboratory has won many awards, such as the State Science and Technology Progress Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Defense Science Progress Award and Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award. In the past five years, more than 200 academic SCI/EI/ISTP papers have been published and nearly 70 patents have been applied/granted.