Don Figer

Director of Center for Detectors

Center for Detectors

College of Science

figer@cfd.rit.edu

585-475-6005

Office Location

ENG-3110

Office Mailing Address

17-3153

Don Figer

Director of Center for Detectors

Center for Detectors

College of Science

Education

BA, Northwestern University; MS, University of Chicago; Ph.D., University of California

Bio

Dr. Figer is Director of the Center for Detectors. He is a professor in the College of Science with appointments in the Astrophysical Science and Technology Ph.D. program and the Microsystems Engineering Ph.D. program. He is a leader in developing and deploying new photon detection technologies.

figer@cfd.rit.edu

585-475-6005

Personal Links

Personal Website

Areas of Expertise

Detectors

Detector testing

Massive stars

The Quintuplet Cluster

The Pistol Star

Currently Teaching

PHYS-220

University Astronomy

3 Credits

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of astronomy and astrophysics for scientists and engineers. Topics include the celestial sphere, celestial mechanics, methods of data acquisition, planetary systems, stars and stellar systems, cosmology, and life in the universe.

ASTP-790

Research & Thesis

1 - 3 Credits

Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.

ASTP-890

Research & Thesis

1 - 6 Credits

Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.

ASTP-791

Continuation of Thesis

0 Credits

Continuation of Thesis

Latest News

March 4, 2020

RIT to host workshop exploring the intersection of photonics and quantum technology

RIT will bring international pioneers in the advancement of photonics for quantum devices to campus this summer for a special workshop. The Photonics for Quantum Workshop 2 takes place June 23-25 at the RIT campus.
October 4, 2019

New tech at RIT may help find other planets

WROC-TV talks to student Justin Gallagher and Professor Don Figer, director of the Center for Detectors, about a sensor technology that may contribute to finding other planets.
September 12, 2019

Scientists developing single photon detector to help search for habitable exoplanets

NASA is awarding a team of researchers from RIT and Dartmouth College a grant to develop a detector capable of sensing and counting single photons that could be crucial to future NASA astrophysics missions. The extremely sensitive detector would allow scientists to see the faintest observable objects in space, such as Earth-like planets around other stars.

More News

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper

Geballe, T. R., et al. "Infrared Diffuse Interstellar Bands in the Galactic Centre Region." Nature 479. 7372 (2011): 200-202. Print.

Richards, Emily E., et al. "Multiwavelength Observations of Massive Stellar Cluster Candidates in the Galaxy." Astrophysical Journal 43. (2011): 0-1. Print.

Davis, B., et al. "The G305 Star-forming Complex: the Central Star Clusters Danks 1 and Danks 2." MNRAS. (2011): 1-18. Print.

Kim, Sungsoo S., et al. "Nuclear Star-Forming Ring of the Milky Way: Simulations." Astrophysical Journal Letters 735. 1 (2011): 0-1. Print.

Messineo, M., et al. "Massive Stars in the Cl 1813-178 Cluster. An Episode of Massive Star Formation in the W33 Complex." Astrophysical Journal 733. 1 (2011): 1-15. Print.

Invited Keynote/Presentation

Figer, Don. "Massive Star Formation in Nuclei of Galaxies." The Central Kiloparsec in Galactic Nuclei. University of Cologne. Germany, Bad Honnef, Germany. 30 Aug. 2011. Conference Presentation.

Figer, Don. "A Photon-counting Detector for Exoplanet Missions." Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets V. International Society for Optics and Photonics. San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. 21 Aug. 2011. Conference Presentation.

Figer, Don. "Silicon Single Photon Imaging Detectors." Single-Photon Imaging II. International Society for Optics and Photonics. San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. 21 Aug. 2011. Conference Presentation.

Figer, Don. "Single Photon Imaging Array Detectors for Astrophysics and Biophotonics." Single Photon Workshop 2011. Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Germany, Braunschweig, Germany. 27 Jun. 2011. Conference Presentation.

Published Conference Proceedings

Figer, D. F., et al. "A Photon-counting Detector for Exoplanet Missions." Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series, OP408. Ed. SPIE. SPIE: n.p., Print.

Figer, D. F., et al. "Silicon Single Photon Imaging Detectors." Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series, OP217. Ed. SPIE. SPIE: n.p., Print.