| John A. Nees | |
|
Assistant Research Scientist office : 1012 Gerstacker Building |
Research Group : High-Field Technology, Ultrafast Optics
Publications : Reference List (41 listed)
John Nees became interested in science early, Junior High School in science
classes. He became interested in the study of light and its interference
properties in a high school class which covered holography.
From 1979 through 1983 he studied Physics at Wichita State University and
Kansas State University where he worked setting up undergraduate physics
laboratories and repairing laboratory equipment. He divided his summers between
research at the Physics Department at Kansas State and working as a camp
counselor in Colorado.
In 1983 John Nees began working on his Masters in Physics at the University
of Rochester, where he participated in the cooperative education program working
as an Engineer in Training at United Technologies Research Center in East
Hartford Connecticut and then joined the University of Rochester's Ultrafast
Group at the Laboratory of Laser Energetics. Here, under the direction of
Gérard Mourou and Steven Williamson, John Nees became proficient in ultrafast
methods and techniques. He contributed to the development of optical modulators
with greater than 1000 GHz bandwidth and was among the first to use external
electro-optic sampling probes to measure the internal workings of fast
electronic circuits. He invented the total internal reflection probe which
eliminated the need for dielectric coating on e-o sampling probes.
The Ultrafast group moved to the University of Michigan in 1988 and here Mr.
Nees became leader of the Ultrafast Transducer Group. His current projects have
included the development of Ultrafast probes with ultrafine spatial resolution
and the development of compact diode pumped lasers for "real-world" ultrafast
applications.
At the present, Mr. Nees is the director of the Ultrafast Photon Source at the
Universitiy of Michigan. This kilohertz laser provides pulses as short as 20 fs
with milijoule pulse energies. Using adaptive optics and high-numerical
aperture focusing this laser produces relativistically strong intensity used to
explore laser matter interactions.
Throughout his career, John Nees has maintained an interest in sharing the
excitement of research in optics. Has been active in setting up demonstrations
and experiments for visitors and summer students and has worked with the Ann
Arbor Public Schools providing experience based science learning available at
all levels of primary and secondary education.
John Nees also has maintained an interest in sharing his Christian faith with
international visitors. Since 1990, he has worked with International
Fellowship, an organization which offers services such as English Language
tutoring, excursions, and introductory classes in Christian faith.
In the course of his research, Mr. Nees has co-authored three patents and
many papers. He has also presented his work at numerous meetings on laser,
electronics and ultrafast science.