Lt Col Christopher A. Lenyk
Research Interests
My current research focuses on the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), thermoluminescence (TL), photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE), wavelength-dependent TL, optical absorption, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify and characterize point defects in optical and electronic single crystal materials. Understanding point defects is critical for device application and their presence or absence has varying results depending on the material’s intended use.
My Master’s degree research focused on developing algorithms for analyzing a subset of the 7000+ nuclear test films. Modern computing and digital image processing techniques allow for unprecedented extraction of information from data recorded film. This research is the foundation for developing insight into the multi-spectral nature of the time-dependent nuclear fireball composition and evolution.