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John H. Lehman (Fed)

John Lehman is presently leader of the Sources and Detectors Group and Senior Research Scientist in the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Recent activities include organizing workshops ranging from laser-based manufacturing, optical-power measurements for gravitational wave detection, and the <Q|School Single Photon Short Course to support the ‘Quantum Workforce’ development. John was awarded the Quantum Electronics and Photonics Ph.D. prize from the Institute of Physics (UK) for his dissertation. Other recent awards include Maria Goeppert Mayer Award from SPIE, the R&D100 award, and US Department of Commerce Gold Medal. He is a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany and Optica. John is past President of the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, Inc.

The Sources and Detectors Group provides laser power and energy calibration services to the US and other parts of the world – ranging from single photons to 100 kW. Our research is related to new sources and detectors to support US industry, quantum communications, manufacturing, and defense. We undertake device development related to optical and thermal radiation detectors as well as absolute radiometers based on photon momentum and traceability to the kilogram. The Group also leads the world in carbon-nanotube based coatings for a variety of detector platforms for earth and space radiometry.

Selected Patents and Publications

  1. “Evaluating the characteristics of multiwall carbon nanotubes” J. H. Lehman, M. Terrones, E. Mansfield, K. E. Hurst and V. Meunier, Carbon 49 (8), 2581-2602 (2011).
  2. "Inline laser power measurement by photon momentum," J.H. Lehman, K. Rogers, D. Rahn, and P. Williams, Appl. Opt., 1239-1241 (2019).
  3. “Carbon nanotube-based black coatings,” J. Lehman, C. Yung, N. Tomlin, D. Conklin, and M. Stephens, Applied Physics Reviews, 5, 011103 1-17 (2018).
  4. Lehman, J., Tomlin, N., (2016) Radiometer and Method for Use of Same. (U.S. Patent Number 9,291,499).

Publications

Single Photon Detectors and Metrology

Author(s)
Sonia Buckley, Michelle Stephens, John H. Lehman
For quantum applications, it is important to generate quantum states of light and detect them with extremely high efficiency. For future applications, it also
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Patents (2018-Present)

Photoacoustic Photon Meter And Process For Measuring Photon Fluence

NIST Inventors
Kimberly A. Briggman , Chris Yung , Jeeseong C. Hwang and John H. Lehman
A photoacoustic photon meter includes: a photoacoustic generative array including carbon nanotubes disposed in a photoacoustic generating pattern, such that the carbon nanotubes: receive photons comprising optical energy, and produce thermal energy from the optical energy; and a superstratum
image for 10,837,828

Non-attenuating Meter for Determining Optical Energy of Laser Light

NIST Inventors
Joshua Hadler , John H. Lehman , Matthew Spidell and Paul A. Williams
A non-attenuating meter determines optical energy of laser light in an absence of optical attenuation of the laser light and includes: a recipient mirror that: receives laser light that propagates in a primary propagation direction; produces profile light; transmits the profile light through the
A metal cube (RPPM) mounted on a metal surface has round holes cut in each side.

Optical Power Meter

NIST Inventors
John H. Lehman and Paul A. Williams
An optical meter includes a force member to receive a force and a reflector disposed on the force member to receive radiation and to communicate a pressure of the radiation to the force member. The reflector includes a reflective surface, and the force member is configured to be displaced in
A disk-shaped device is smaller than the half-dollar coin underneath it.

Smart Mirror

NIST Inventors
Alexandra (Aly) Artusio-Glimpse , John H. Lehman , Michelle Stephens , Nathan A Tomlin and Paul A. Williams
Radiation pressure is a force that results when light reflects from a mirror. By measuring the force on a mirror, the power in a laser beam can be assessed. We have invented a miniaturized mirrored force sensor that combines several key elements to make a sensor that is smaller, faster, more
A flat pink device with a round black patch lies over a quarter.

Electrical-Substitution Radiometer

NIST Inventors
John H. Lehman and Nathan A Tomlin
A radiometer includes a substrate; a radiation absorber disposed on the substrate to absorb radiation; a thermal member disposed on the substrate to change electrical resistance in response to a change in temperature of the radiometer; and a thermal link to connect the radiometer to a thermal
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Created July 30, 2019, Updated April 5, 2023