Research Projects

UV astronomy, detector physics, and space instrumentation

Aspera SmallSat Mission

Aspera NASA Pioneers SmallSat

Co-Investigator $20M Mission Launch 2025

NASA SmallSat mission studying diffuse O VI emission from the warm-hot circumgalactic medium of nearby galaxies using twin far-UV spectrographs.

Optical Integration Leading alignment of twin FUV spectrographs
Calibration Developing procedures for flight hardware
Collaboration Working with JPL and multiple institutions
Space Missions Optical Systems UV Astronomy
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FIREBall-2 Balloon

FIREBall-2 Stratospheric Balloon

1m NUV Telescope ~40 km Altitude 2023 Flight

1-meter near-UV telescope with multi-object spectrograph studying redshifted Lyman-alpha emission from circumgalactic gas.

Spectrograph Optical alignment and calibration
Detectors EMCCD integration and testing
Flights Multiple successful stratospheric missions
Balloon Astronomy Optical Systems CGM Science
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Dark Current Test

Dark Current in Silicon Detectors

NASA FINESST Single Photon Detection

Investigating fundamental noise properties of silicon detector arrays using single-photon detection capabilities of EMCCDs.

Noise Analysis Characterizing dark current mechanisms
Optimization Detector operating conditions for space
Impact Supporting next-gen UV instruments
Detector Physics NASA FINESST
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EMCCD Detectors

Electron Multiplying CCDs

Photon Counting UV Applications

Developing and testing single-photon counting EMCCDs for UV astronomy applications in future space missions.

Characterization UV quantum efficiency testing
Space Readiness Operating procedures for orbit
Gain Stability Electron multiplication analysis
Detector Tech Single Photon
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ALD Silicon Wafer

Patterned ALD Coatings

JPL Collaboration High UV QE

Developing delta-doped EMCCDs with high UV quantum efficiency through atomic layer deposition anti-reflection coatings.

ALD Technique Patterned coatings for UV transmission
Delta-Doping Enhanced near-surface sensitivity
JPL Partnership Microdevices Laboratory collaboration
Nanofabrication Detector Tech
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Skipper CCD

Skipper CCDs for UV Astronomy

Sub-electron Noise Fermilab

UV-enhanced delta-doped Skipper CCDs achieving sub-electron read noise through multiple non-destructive readouts.

Ultra-low Noise Sub-electron read noise achieved
UV Enhanced Delta-doping for quantum efficiency
Fermilab Detector development partnership
Detector Tech Ultra-low Noise
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VUV Test Facility

VUV Quantum Efficiency Measurement

90-200 nm High Vacuum

Specialized test facility for measuring detector quantum efficiency and noise performance in the vacuum ultraviolet regime.

Monochromatic 90-200 nm wavelength range
Cryogenic Low noise detector operation
Calibration NIST-traceable standards
Optical Systems Detector Testing
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NUTRANS Telescope

NUTRANS UV Transients

60 cm SuperLOTIS Kitt Peak

Upgrading SuperLOTIS robotic telescope detector system for near-UV transient observations including GW events and GRBs.

GW Follow-up Rapid gravitational wave responses
GRB Counterparts Optical/UV transient detection
Automation Robotic transient classification
Time-Domain Detector Tech
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CGH Metrology

Optical Alignment & Metrology

Interferometry λ/10 Precision

Advanced optical metrology using interferometry, computer-generated holograms, and photogrammetry for precision space telescope alignment.

Interferometry Laser surface figure testing
CGH Aspheric surface metrology
Photogrammetry 3D mechanical alignment
Optical Systems Metrology
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Interested in Collaboration?

Open to discussing research opportunities in UV astronomy and detector physics.