Infrared Applications Instructors
Course Approach
Since learning is enhanced by hands-on experience, this course offers a rare balance between classroom learning and laboratory experiments with infrared devices. There are 2 laboratory sessions that coordinate with lecture/discussion sessions: infrared detectors, focal plane electronics. After an introduction to infrared radiation, device evaluation, and detectors, participants put theory into practice in a unique infrared laboratory where they measure fundamental properties of infrared detectors. Focal plane electronics are likewise introduced in the classroom before the lab experience of building simple circuits. Finally, the theory of infrared systems is coupled with a hands-on demonstration of modern infrared cameras representing a broad spectrum of commercial systems.
Instructors for the lecture sessions are leaders in the infrared industry and active in the latest developments in the field. These instructors, along with Prof. Nadir Dagli of UC Santa Barbara, coach small groups of course participants in the laboratory. A barbecue on the first night provides a relaxing environment for participants to interact with faculty in an informal setting and to network with others attending the course.
Instructors (tentative)
Dr. Alan Hoffman, Course Coordinator
Chief Scientist, Acumen Scientific
Santa Barbara, CA
Dr. Hoffman has extensive knowledge of infrared focal planes. As the course coordinator, he utilizes his passion of introducing others to infrared technology. His experience spans all phases of developing sensors including, designing, manufacturing and testing applications for the defense, space and astronomy communities.
Prof. Nadir Dagli
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSB
Dr. Dagli’s research includes calculations on the optical properties of quantum wires, the design, fabrication and modeling of guided-wave components for optical integrated circuits, ultrafast electro-optic modulators, WDM components and photonic nanostructures and very compact ring resonators and their novel applications. IEE Fellow.
John L. Vampola
Senior Engineering Fellow, Raytheon Vision Systems
Santa Barbara, CA
Mr. Vampola has extensive experience in imaging technology, especially, infrared and visible- focal plane subsystems and instruments covering detector and readout design, focal plane test and instrument design and remote sensing instruments. He is a co-author of Fundamentals of Infrared and Visible Detector Operation and Testing, published by Wiley.
Dr. Edward P. Smith
Raytheon Vision Systems, Senior Engineering Fellow
Santa Barbara, CA
Dr. Smith’s experience is in next-generation infrared technology products based on HgCdTe and III-V bandgap engineered infrared materials and devices. His focus is on applied research for infrared focal plane array development and first-time technology demonstration programs, and transition to product.
Dr. Terrence S. Lomheim
Aerospace Fellow, The Aerospace Corporation
El Segundo, CA
Dr. Lomheim has held both management and technical staff positions. He performed detailed experimental evaluations of electro-optical properties, imaging capabilities, radiation sensitivities of infrared and visible focal plane devices and developed modeling tools used to predict instrument-level performance. Dr. Lomheim is a part-time lecturer at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and regularly teaches technical short courses for the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) and UCLA Extension. He is co-author of CMOS/CCD Sensors and Camera Systems, published by SPIE.
Dr. John E. Hubbs
Chief Scientist, Infrared Radiation Effects Laboratory (IRREL)
Space Vehicles Directorate of Air Force Research Laboratory
Kirtland, AFB, NM
Dr. Hubbs has worked extensively on focal plane arrays (FPAs) in both clear and radiation environments—testing, characterizing and modeling array performance. He is a fellow of the Military Sensing Symposia (MSS) and SPIE.
Roger Holcombe
Roger Holcombe Engineering
Santa Barbara, CA
Mr. Holcombe has focused on the development and production of advanced infrared applications for military, commercial and scientific systems. He managed the mechanical design group at Raytheon Vision Systems and now is a consultant providing advanced system design and rapid prototyping services to the MEMS and infrared detector industries.
Scott Williams
Director of Engineering, Pulse Instruments
Mr. Williams has been the Director of Engineering at Pulse Instruments since 2006. He also manages the Quality program and works with Sales to help researchers and scientists identify common requirements and challenges in FPA characterizations and translate them into practical test systems and templates. Prior to working at Pulse Instruments, Mr. Williams worked at Grumman/Northrop Grumman testing and defining infrared systems for space applications.
Ms. Ellen Chang
Research Scientist Stf, Lockheed Martin
Ms. Chang has over 10 years of experience in material characterization and test development of FPAs and detector materials. She is currently the lead test engineer for the Detector Physics group at Lockheed Martin.