Don Figer Headshot

Don Figer

Director of Center for Detectors

Center for Detectors
College of Science
[email protected]
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.

[email protected]
585-475-6005
Personal Links
Personal Website
Areas of Expertise
Detectors
Detector testing
Massive stars
The Quintuplet Cluster
The Pistol Star

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.

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-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-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-791
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis

In the News

  • December 16, 2021

    artists rendering of the James Webb Space Telescope.

    Multiple RIT scientists contribute to the newest space telescope

    When the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launches, it will mark the culmination of nearly 30 years of development on the most powerful observational instrument ever made. Numerous members of RIT’s College of Science have been involved in its creation or will work on projects once it becomes operational.

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