OSC Colloquium: Mini Das

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Mini Das Colloquium

When

3:30 to 5 p.m., Feb. 23, 2023

Where

Title

Single-Photon Spectral Detection and X-Ray Image Science

Abstract

High‐energy X‐ray photons offer unique possibilities in detection, sensing and imaging for a range of applications, including biomedical, materials, defense/security and astronomy. However, engineering novel imaging systems that operate with small X‐ray wavelengths can be challenging. These challenges include difficulties in manipulating these photons to change path or focus and even devising novel area detectors that yield spectroscopic information. The field is undergoing a new revolution, fueled by X‐ray
optics, advanced detector technologies and computational methods.

These advancements might benefit many areas but this talk focuses on biomedical imaging applications. In particular, advancements in new direct‐conversion semiconducting detectors that can count photons while also being sensitive to spectral information and time of arrival have shown to be of significance. For example, spectral detection along with the physics of light transport and computational imaging methods can solve X‐ray phase‐retrieval problems in complex media. Time permitting, I will also discuss our recent
work on near‐ and mid‐infrared imaging as well as how areas of image perception, machine learning and vision science could help these advancements in imaging that are now yielding new signals and contrast mechanisms. Throughout the talk, I show how seemingly disparate areas in physics, optics, medical imaging and astronomy have historically borrowed concepts from each other and benefited from developments in other areas.

Bio

Dr. Mini Das
Professor of Physics
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Houston

Mini Das is a professor of physics and engineering at the University of Houston (UH). Her research interests span areas of applied and optical physics, optical engineering, imaging, inverse problems, advanced detectors, image science and psychophysics. She is a recipient of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Career Development Award (2009), the Department of Defense CDMRP Breakthrough Award (2016), the National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2017), UH Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship (2018), the UH Advance Fellowship (2019). She is a SCIALOG Fellow for advancing bioimaging since 2020 as chosen by the Research Corporation for Science Advancements and co-sponsored by the Chan-Zuckerberg Foundation. A Fellow of the International Society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE) since 2022, she is keen to develop educational and outreach activities to advance and promote interdisciplinary research. In addition, she is passionate about interdisciplinary research for societal benefits such as wide-spread accessibility to novel low-cost imaging systems.

 

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