Dr. James M. Palmer passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer.  His many friends, students, and colleagues are invited to a celebration of his life on Monday, January 29 at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.

 

Contact Information

Ms. Cindy Gardner, Administrative Associate

Telephone:  520-621-3035

E-mail:  cindy@optics.arizona.edu

Dr. Palmer's Personal Website:  http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Palmer/

James M. Palmer

Research Professor Emeritus of Optical Sciences

 

Photo: Professor James PalmerEducation

  • PhD, The University of Arizona, 1975

  • MS, The University of Arizona, 1973

  • AB, Grinnell College, 1959

Employment

  • The University of Arizona: Research Professor Emeritus, Optical Sciences, 2004-present;  Research Professor, 1999-2004; Associate Research Professor, 1990-1999; Research Associate, 1981-1990; Research Specialist, 1978-1981; Research Associate, 1976-1977; Research Assistant, 1973-1975; Graduate Research Assistant, 1971-1973

  • Radiometrics: President, 1971-date

  • Globe-Union/Centralab: Senior Engineer, 1967-1970

  • Hoffman Electronics/Semiconductor: Senior Engineer, 1959-1967

Professional Affiliations

  • OSA, Member

  • SPIE, Fellow

  • IEEE, Life Member

  • Council for Optical Radiation Measurements, Member

  • U.S. National Committee, International Commission of Illumination (CIE)

Awards and Honors

  • SPIE Educator Award, 2006

  • Tau Beta Pi Teacher of the Year, University of Arizona, 1992

  • NASA Group Achievement Award, Pioneer Venus, 1979

Teaching

  • Opti 360

  • Opti 380B

  • Opti 400/500

Research

Theoretical and practical aspects of radiometry, detectors, instrumentation, calibration and standards for the UV, visible and IR spectral regions. Visible and infrared reflectance standards, quantum and thermal detectors for use as radiometric standards, ultra-low uncertainty spectrophotometry. Radiometric temperature measurements in the thermal IR. Visible and IR radiometric properties of materials (index of refraction, BRDF and BDTF).  Radiometric and photometric implications of retirement.