ACMD Seminar: Practical Diffraction Corrections in Radiometry using Special Functions and the DLMF

Eric Shirley
Sensor Science Division, PML, NIST

Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 3:00-4:00 PM ET (1:00-2:00 PM MT)

A video of this talk will be made available to NIST staff in the Math channel on NISTube, which is accessible from the NIST internal home page. It will be taken down from NISTube after 12 months at which point it can be requested by emailing the ACMD Seminar Chair.

Abstract: Since the early work by Huygens, the effects of diffraction have been a fascinating aspect of the properties of light and its propagation.  Practical radiometric calibrations of standard blackbodies, radiometers and associated optical systems often require treatment of diffraction of light.  Kirchhoff diffraction theory for first-order diffraction effects has been well used since classic works by Fresnel, Rayleigh, Lommel, Wolf, and others.  In fact, much of its use has been advanced by national metrology laboratories such as NIST.  Second-order diffraction is less well studied and harder to treat.  In this talk, emphasis will be placed on recent innovations in estimating second-order effects (that is, other than by numerical calculations).  The pivotal role of the NIST Handbook of Mathematical Functions and the companion DLMF will also be noted. 

Bio: Eric Shirley is a theoretical solid-state physicist, with experience in atomic-structure calculations, band-structure calculations, and many-body theory. He has been involved in calculations of the optical spectra of solids throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, from the far-infrared to the hard x-ray region. His research interests lie in computational physics, which relies heavily on the use of extensive computational resources, as well as mathematical physics. 

Host: Ryan Evans

Note: This talk will be recorded to provide access to NIST staff and associates who could not be present to the time of the seminar. The recording will be made available in the Math channel on NISTube, which is accessible only on the NIST internal network. This recording could be released to the public through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Do not discuss or visually present any sensitive (CUI/PII/BII) material. Ensure that no inappropriate material or any minors are contained within the background of any recording. (To facilitate this, we request that cameras of attendees are muted except when asking questions.)

Note: Visitors from outside NIST must contact Lochi Orr at least 24 hours in advance.