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Schedule for this lecture.
Goddard Space Flight Center Engineering Colloquium
Date: Monday, September 27, 1999
Nature provides a wealth of examples where light propagates along curved paths. In the animal world, this has led to specially adapted optical systems: in insects, a multiplicity of lens systems, each pointed in a slightly different direction; in rats, fast lenses that can operate at very low light levels due to a large index of refraction; and in humans, lenses for improved image formation. The mirage and Fata Morgana are classic examples of propagation in inhomogeneous (gradient-index) air. The talk will discuss all of these and examples of man-made applications in endoscopy, fiber couplers, and photocopiers. This is a nearly equation-free talk.
Duncan T. Moore is currently serving as associate director for technology in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the White House. While serving in this capacity, he is on leave as the Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor of Optics Engineering from the Univ. of Rochester, where he served as dean of engineering and applied science from 1995 to 1997. In 1993, he was a congressional fellow of the American Physical Society and served as science advisor to U.S. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. Dr. Moore is also the founder of Gradient Lens Corp., manufacturer of the Hawkeye borescope. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineers and has served as President of the Optical Society of America. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gradient Index Award from the Japanese Applied Physical Society in recognition of his pioneering work in this field.
Colloquium Committee Sponsor: Jim Heaney
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