Bruce Charles Bigelow

bigelow at ucolick.org -- CfAO, UCSC -- Santa Cruz, CA 95064 -- 831-459-5148

Summary:

Accomplished, energetic project manager and R&D engineer with 20 years of progressive responsibility and experience in the development of automated astronomical instrumentation systems. Proven abilities in the areas of project management, design, analysis, and testing of opto-mechanical and electro-optical systems. International reputation in opto-mechanical engineering and in the leadership of project teams for the construction of world-class astronomical instruments.

Experience:

Research Scientist, UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 2007 - present

Project manager for the Wide Field Optical Spectrograph (WFOS) for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).

Senior Research Engineer, Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2003 - present

Research engineer and collaborator with the JDEM/SNAP project (SNAP), responsible for research and development of large focal plane mosaics of visible and infrared detector arrays for precision space-born telescope, photometer, and spectrograph. Participating in the development of on-board calibration systems, opto- mechanics, and telescope mirror designs. Responsible for 3D solid modelling and finite element analysis of structures, optics, and opto-mechanics.

Instrument Scientist, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Pasadena, Ca., 1997 - 2003

Project leader for $6.5 million scientific instrument (IMACS multi-object spectrograph and imager) for the Magellan 6.5-m telescope. Responsible for specification of project technical requirements, schedule, and budget. Responsible for recruitment, leadership, and supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of consultants, professionals (software, electronics, optics, mechanics), and project support staff. Lead opto-mechanical engineering responsibility for solid modelling and finite-element analysis of mechanical structures, optical components, and precision motion control systems. Responsible for outfitting and staffing of a new CNC fabrication facility for instrument construction. Responsible for initiation and maintenance of project website (IMACS).

Consultant, Opto-Mechanics Research and Development, Santa Cruz, CA, 2000 - present

Consulting opto-mechanical engineer to the SALTICAM instrument project for the South African Large Telescope, SALT. Responsible for the design and analysis of elastomeric lens mounts for acquisition and guider camera. Provided mechanical design for lens cells and interfaces to camera barrels. Management of fabrication of lenses and anti-reflection coatings for SALTICAM.

Instrument Scientist, UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1995 - 1997

Project manager for $3.5 million scientific instrument (Keck II echelle spectrograph and imager ESI) for the Keck II telescope. Responsible for specification of project technical requirements, schedule, and budget. Supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of 10 consultants, professionals (software, electronics, CCD detectors, optics, mechanics), and support staff. Lead opto-mechanical engineering responsibility for 3D solid modelling design and finite-element analysis of mechanical structures, optical components (lenses, prisms, diffraction gratings, mirrors), and precision (sub-micron and sub-arc-sec) servo-positioning stages.

Research Fellow / Consultant, Optical Science Laboratory, University College London, England, 1992 - 1995

Research and development of large deformable mirrors for adaptive correction of atmospheric turbulence. Design and analysis of large (0.25-1 m diameter) deformable mirrors utilizing both metal alloy and glass substrates; characterization of sub-micron positioning actuators and displacement sensors. Software simulation of closed-loop adaptive control systems for large secondary mirrors; Consulting finite element analyst for large mirror substrate project at the OSL and lenses for the Keck II DEIMOS spectrograph camera.

Development Engineer, UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 1987 - 1992

Design, analysis, and integration of opto-mechanical and opto-electronic sub-systems for automated astronomical research instruments (telescopes and spectrographs). Design and analysis of precision servo-positioning stages, thermal control systems, steel and composite structures, optical cells (support systems) for 0.1m-1.0 m diameter lenses for the Keck I HIRES spectrograph. Design of polishing and metrology tooling for fabrication of the Keck telescope 1.5m f/15 secondary mirrors.

Education:

BSME, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1984

PhD, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, June 1996

Honors and Affiliations:

Member: Society of Photo-Optical Instr. Engineers (SPIE)
Univ. of Calif, Santa Cruz, Outstanding Achievement Award, 1988
Overseas Research Student Award, University College London, 1992-95
Research Awards, Graduate School, University College London, 8/93 and 12/94.