Watt's Up

College of Optical Sciences News for Thursday, January 11, 2007

 

Jim Palmer

 

James M. Palmer died on January 4, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

 

Jim's work focused on teaching and mentoring optics students.  He was a key figure in the formation of the Optical Sciences Bachelor's degree program in the late 1980s, helping to develop the curriculum and teaching several of the required courses.  Today the ABET-accredited program is successful and well-established, with more than 200 enrolled students. 

 

In addition to teaching radiometry courses at Optical Sciences, Jim also taught a wide variety of SPIE short courses on radiometry and radiometric measurements.  His ability to convey his understanding of radiometry to students, colleagues, program managers, and laypersons had a tremendous impact on the lives and careers of a generation of optical engineers.

 

In addition to his substantial and sustained contributions to optics education, Jim's research in sensor-system calibration significantly advanced the state of the art in that field. His research interests reflected a broad base of knowledge and expertise, ranging from self-calibration and quantum-efficient detectors to radiometric properties of the Moon.

 

SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering recognized Jim's lifetime of contributions to optics education by awarding him their prestigious Educator of the Year Award in 2006.  The University of Arizona named him their Tau Beta Pi Teacher of the Year in 1992 and awarded him a Non-Traditional Student Teaching award in 1993.  He was a Fellow of SPIE, a Member of the Optical Society of America, the Council for Optical Radiation Measurements, and the U.S. National Committee of the International Commission on Illumination.  He was a Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

 

Jim came to Arizona in 1971, earning both an MS and PhD in optical sciences under the direction of professor William Wolfe.  He completed his PhD dissertation, titled Solar Flux Radiometer for the 1978 Pioneer-Venus Mission, in 1975 and designed a flawless Venus probe that monitored the atmosphere of that planet to investigate its greenhouse effect.  In 1979, NASA recognized his contribution to the Pioneer Venus program with their Group Achievement Award.

 

Always the engineer and scientist, Jim addressed each challenge his cancer presented as a problem to be solved.  When neck surgery for chondrosarcoma affected his speaking volume and threatened to end his teaching days, Jim solved the problem by purchasing a karaoke machine to amplify his voice.  He became a familiar sight in the OSC hallways, heading off to class pushing his karaoke machine on a cart. 

 

Although he retired officially from his position as research professor in mid-2004, Jim continued to teach and mentor students throughout most of 2005 until cancer finally forced him into complete retirement.  Throughout his illness he deeply appreciated the support of his friends, colleagues, students, family, and professional caregivers.

 

Jim is survived by his sister, Anne (Bruce); his sons, John (Jodi), Michael (Louisa), and Thomas (Gina); his step-daughters, Kristen and Julia and their families; his niece, Lienchai, and ten grandchildren.

 

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Monday January 29, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.  A reception will follow and parking will be available for those coming from off campus. In lieu of flowers, Jim asked that donations be made to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona or to the Community Food Bank.

 

Jim's on-line guestbook is at http://www.legacy.com/tucson/Obituaries.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=85911262

 

An Arizona Daily Star article on Jim's musical career is at http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/164122.php

 

Next Week's Colloquium

Thursday, January 18 at 3:30 in Meinel 307

 

Robert Byer of Stanford University will present LIGO and LISA: The Search for Gravitational Waves.  Host:  Stanley Pau.  Abstract:  Einstein formulated the general theory of relativity nearly 100 years ago and showed that gravity is curvature in space-time and further that ripples in space-time, gravitational waves, travel at the speed of light.  Today the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) project is using ground based 4km long interferometers to search for gravitational waves.  The progress for LIGO and other earth based gravitational wave interferometers will be reviewed.  During the summer of 2005 the Laser Interferometer in Space Antenna, LISA, a project joint between NASA and ESA met to discuss the designs of the space-based, 5-million kilometer long LISA interferometer, its sensitivity and the gravitational wave sources that are to be observed.  LISA, the first great observatory in the NASA Beyond Einstein program, is scheduled for launch in 2015.  The detection of gravitational waves requires the ultimate in precision measurement.  The ‘ruler’ used to detect oscillations in space-time is the constant; the speed of light.  The light source is a very stable Nd:YAG solid state laser that is pumped by laser diode arrays demonstrated at Stanford University in 1984.

 

 Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship in Optical Design 2007

 

The Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship is to be awarded to

a student engaged in optical design of either imaging or non-imaging systems

 

Applications are invited for the above Scholarship

 

Award venue to be decided

 

For information, go to www.kidger.com

 

Closing date for applications is March 31, 2007

 

Submit to:

The Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship

c/o SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering

P.O. Box 10

Bellingham, WA 98227-0010, U.S.A.

e-mail:   education@spie.org

 

Sign Up for Prelims

 

This year, our spring Written Comprehensive Exam, aka Prelims, will be held on February 13 and 14.  If you plan to take prelims, please sign up, by January 26 at the latest, in the Academic Programs Office, Meinel 403.  (Note: Incurable romantics who are determined to celebrate Valentine's Day by taking Prelims will either have to do it this year or wait until 2012.)

 

Copy Machines for Personal Use

 

The closest coin-operated copy machines are located across the street in the Main Library.

 

Spring 2007 Course Offering

Remote Sensing Instrumentation and Techniques

 

This course is only offered on alternate years.  Instructor:  J.A. Reagan with assistance of K.J. Thome.  ECE/ATMO-583.  Use UofA Student Link Webreg to register into this course or contact whelan@ece.arizona.edu for course registration assistance.  Course included in U of A Multidisciplinary Graduate Remote Sensing Program.  T,TH 9:30-10:45 am.  ILC 133.  This course will address measurement, instrumentation and signal conditioning techniques required for remote sensing applications in the optical to microwave wavelength range, with emphasis on atmospheric and land surface remote sensing.  Example active and passive remote sensing applications (e.g., visible, IR & microwave radiometry; lidar; radar; satellite experiments; etc.) will be examined to delineate measurement, instrumentation and signal conditioning problems peculiar to such applications.  Topics which will be covered, to the extent necessary in assessing particular remote sensing systems and techniques, include the following:  1. EM propagation and radiation fundamentals;  2. Atmospheric transmission, absorption and scattering properties;  3. Radiometric terms, definitions and concepts;  4. Detectors and detection techniques;  5. Noise properties and noise reduction techniques;  6. Signal conditioning and processing procedures;  7. System calibration techniques;  8. Data multiplexing, digitization, storage and transfer.  Prerequisite:   Senior/First yr. Grad EM or Physical Optics Course, or, Remote Sensing Course like Opt. Sci. 550.  Please contact Dr. John A. Reagan, Rm. 505, ECE Building, tel. 621-6203, reagan@ece.arizona.edu  or Dr. Kurtis Thome, tel. 621-4535, kurt@titan.opt-sci.arizona.edu if you have any questions regarding this course.  Course Topics & Number of Lectures (approximate number of 75 minute classes):  1. Review of basics of electromagnetic propagation/radiation: reflection relations, propagation, polarization, radiation relations and properties of blackbodies (4 classes).  2. Introduction to radiometry and solar based remote sensing, properties and modeling of atmospheric spectral transmittance, techniques for retrieval of spectral optical depth due to gaseous and particulate attenuators (5 classes).  3. Solar spectroradiometer instrumentation considerations, radiometer bandpass selection approaches/hardware, properties and parameters of photodetectors, radiometer photodetector/electrical detection systems, synchronous detection concepts and example system applications (4 classes).  4. IR and microwave emission based remote sensing, IR and microwave radiometry retrieval techniques, IR and microwave radiometer instrumentation and calibration considerations, example IR and microwave radiometry remote sensing applications (5 classes).  5. Introduction to radar, radar equation, scattering and extinction parameters, scanning and imaging radar approaches, SLAR and SAR, example systems and applications (5 classes).  6. Introduction to lidar, lidar equation and signal properties, lidar systems, signal processing and parameter retrievals, example systems and applications (5 classes).  7. Examinations (2 classes).  http://www.ece.arizona.edu

 

University Awards for Excellence

 

UA is accepting nominations of classified staff and appointed professional staff for four different Awards for Excellence.  If you know someone who deserves special recognition for making OSC a better place for you, your colleagues, or your students, there is no better way to return the favor than by nominating that person or team for a special award.  Nomination forms and criteria are available for download on the SAC Web 

 

Happy Birthday

January 16

 

Fred Hickernell (f.hickernell@ieee.org)

January 17

 

Taeyoung Choi (tchoi@optics.arizona.edu)

January 19

 

Blake Crowther (blake.crowther@sdl.usu.edu)

January 20

 

Chang Oh (cjoh@optics.arizona.edu)

 

Watt's Happening

 

more at
 http://www.optics.arizona.edu/calendar/default.htm)

 

January 12, 2007 -- Physics Colloquium -- 3:00 p.m. -- PAS 220

 

January 15, 2007 -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- University Holiday

 

January 17, 2007 --- Wednesday Run -- 5:00 p.m. -- Meet in 3rd Floor Lobby

 

January 18, 2007 -- Optical Sciences Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Colloquium/default.htm

 

January 24, 2007 -- Wednesday Run -- 5:00 p.m. -- Meet in 3rd Floor Lobby

 

January 25, 2007 -- Optical Sciences Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Colloquium/default.htm

 

January 29, 2007 -- Celebration of Jim Palmer's Life -- 2:00 p.m. OSC

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/News/2007Newsletters/01-11-07.htm

 

 

Employment Opportunities in Optics

 

more at

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/employment/nationalopenings.htm

 

College of Optical Sciences.  University of Arizona

 

Links to employment opportunities within the College of Optical Sciences can be found at http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Employment/osc.asp  Complete  position descriptions and application procedures are included within each employment opening.

 

Innovation Scientist,  Micro Encoder, Inc.  Req. 2007-01.  Micro Encoder Inc. (MEI) an R&D company located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest develops sensors, software, and measurement technologies for state-of-the-art industrial inspection applications.  We are seeking an Innovation Scientist to join our world-class research and development team.   Education Required:  MS in physics or engineering, PhD preferred.  Duties and Responsibilities:  Product-level innovation: conduct original research to develop patentable, commercially viable products in the area of dimensional metrology and related industries.  Experience Required:  · Outstanding record of innovation related to new measurement instruments or product features.  · Practical experience in developing optical based instrumentation.   · Experience that includes the development of system architecture, fundamental sensors, and computational algorithms for the modeling, control or assessment of measurement systems.  Skills Required:  · Ability to conduct laboratory experiments to assess the feasibility of new measurement products or features.  · Ability to simulate the performance of measurement systems via theoretical and computational methods.  · Solid understanding of optical fundamentals.  · Ability to oversee the design and fabrication of optical, opto-electronic and opto-mechanical devices and systems.  · Excellent oral and written communication skills and team-oriented interpersonal skills.  · High energy, enthusiastic individual with a positive attitude.  Beneficial Experience/Skills:  · Patent review.  · Dimensional metrology.  · MATLAB and ZEMAX skills.  · Knowledge of Japanese language and business practices.  MEI offers a progressive, challenging, casual team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package, including matching 401k.  Email cover letter and resume to jobs@microen.com ; mail to 11533 NE 118th St, Kirkland, WA 98034; fax to 425-821-3228.  Refer to req. #2007-01.  Please visit www.microen.com for additional information. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S.

 

Optical Mechanical Engineer.  ITT Advanced Engineering and Sciences.  Job Description - External:  We are seeking an optical mechanical engineer to join our Herndon, VA staff to perform design and analysis of optical telescopes for use in free space optical communication. In this position you will be integrating and testing optical communication terminals; performing design and analysis of fiber-optic communications systems; and performing optical loss budget analysis. You will also be interacting with vendors to have subsystem components fabricated and validated.  As a member of our team you will also be required to assist in field testing of terminals that will require some work in adverse environments (desert, heat, cold). Field testing typically is for a week or two, once every year or so, but could last up to several weeks at a time.  Experience - External:  The successful candidate will have experience with various methods of optical fabrication (i.e. grinding, polishing, diamond turning), proficiency with Zemax-EE and experience with mechanical design. Experience with SolidWorks is highly desirable, but proficiency with CAD is required. Experience with atmospheric propagations is also highly desired. Candidates should have at least 6 years experience with a BS, or at least 4 years experience with an MS degree, but notable accomplishments may alleviate this somewhat. This position requires some lifting, not to exceed 50lbs.  This position requires candidates to have the ability to obtain a favorable Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) which requires US Citizenship.  Contact:  Kristen Abbott, Recruiting Manager.  ITT Corporation, 12975 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, VA  20170.  Advanced Engineering & Sciences.  703-668-6293.  kristen.abbott@itt.com

 

Senior Electro-Optic Design Engineer.  Clean Earth Technologies, LLC.  Summary:  Design and development of optical and electro-optical imaging systems from UV to LWIR.  Technical lead for small R&D team working on Hyperspectral imaging and non-imaging systems.  Essential Job Responsibilities Include:  · Designs and conducts tests & experiments on specific R&D programs.  · Design and construct testbeds and prototypes spanning UV to LWIR.  · Designs and executes proof-of-principal experiments and phenomenology studies.  · Familiar with Zemax or similar optical design software.  · Works extensively with digital imaging sensors, optical imaging systems, tunable filters, lasers, photodiodes, lighting equipment, opto-mechanical hardware, passive & active optical components, and associated computer-controlled electronics and software.  · Consults with other engineers to discuss and interpret design concepts.  · Assists in technical proposals & presentations.  Requirements:  M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Physics.  Ph.D highly desired.  6-8 years experience in an industry research, academic research or government laboratory environment.  DoD experience highly desired.  Must have experience with photonic and electro-optic device and system level design/modeling.  Experience with some of the following:  focal plane arrays (FPA), image processing, hyperspectral measurements, polarimetric imaging, data processing hardware and software.  Clear verbal and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills.  US Citizen.  Active Security Clearance a plus.  Contact:  Audrey Morgan, PHR, Director of Human Resources.  Clean Earth Technologies, LLC, 13378 Lakefront Dr.  Earth City, MO  63045.  (314) 222-4640.  amorgan@cleanearthtech.com  

 

Senior Optical Engineer.  Spudnik, Inc.  Location: San Jose, CA.  Reports To: Director of Engineering.  Primary Function:  Optical engineer experienced in design, development and prototype of optical systems involving various optical elements and electrical interfaces such as light sources, lenses, reflectors, receivers, light control, etc… Design experience must include tolerancing, alignment and sensitivity analysis. Ability to write detailed optical system specifications and to interact with various optical vendors. Experienced with imaging and non-imaging design using CAD tools such as ZEMAX (preferable), OSLO or CODE-V.  Candidate to have strong analytical and diagnostic skills and an in-depth knowledge of the product development processes. Ability to think at a system level and being able to convert concepts into logical blocks for implementation.  Hands-on experience with optical alignment and troubleshooting, stray-light analysis, illumination, collimation, filtration, and light collection using both optics and electronics components. Capable of setting up an optical bench including defining tests and FA/troubleshooting procedures.  The ideal candidate will possess excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, is customer centric, collaborative, and decisive. You must be a team player, reflecting high integrity as well as a strong work ethic.  Desirable to have experience in the following:  - Successfully released products with optical content.  - Experience working with various suppliers to get the product fabricated to specs and on time.  - Optical design understanding and strong experience in sensitivity and tolerance analysis (including material properties).  PHD, MS or BS in Optics or Physics, backed by relevant industry experience.  Benefits:  Spudnik, Inc. offers Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage as well as 401K.  This year we offered a total of 18 paid days for Holidays and 2 floating holidays, and up to 120 hours of PTO (covers both vacation and sick leave).  Preferred method of contact:  E-mail to skent@spudnikinc.com 

 

 

Agency Listing.  Do you have or know someone with the skills and desire to lead/help a small innovative technology company with 2006 revenues over $50M grow to over $200M in the next 5-6 years?  The title for this position is President.  The President must be a highly motivated, robust and commercially astute leader whose charisma, experience and ability will ensure his immediate acceptance within the Company.  This individual must have a background in photonics and have a thorough understanding of spectrometry and its applications. It is anticipated that he/she will have scientific training, probably to PhD level, followed by demonstrable success in a commercial environment. It is vital that the applicant can identify areas for new product development and contribute to the direction of the technical department.  As important as the technical leadership is, this is matched by the need to take an active role in sales expansion, working with key OEMs, distributors and new customers. Geographical growth is an important part of the strategy and experience in overseas markets is vital.  Experience of small volume production is also essential with an understanding of world class manufacturing procedures.  The individual will have an excellent career path to date with clear evidence of achievement.  Personal qualities required for this position – high levels of energy, enthusiasm and self-motivation combined with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. We seek someone stable, resilient, tenacious and driven by achievement of measurable results; an effective organiser with the ability to quickly analyse complex situations; a numerate, reflective and decisive problem solver with the capacity to absorb pressure.  This position offers a competitive compensation package that consists of salary, performance related bonus, equity, company car and benefits.  This is an outstanding opportunity for the right individual.  A more developed job description and specific information are available to qualified individuals.  For more information about this highly confidential retained search please send your resume via e-mail as an attachment, MS Word or RTF format only – no PDF documents to:  Kyle Largent at Largent & Associates at presidentoo@largent-assoc.com

 

cathy.alexander@optics.arizona.edu

University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences