Jonathan Ward Email & Phone Number

Norfolk, Va, Us

Norfolk, Va, Us

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Hampton, Virginia, Us

Hampton, Virginia, Us

Reston, Virginia, Us

Austin, Tx, Us

Researcher working on design and analysis projects for The Simons Observatory. Technical Working Subgroup leader within the cryogenics group focused on design and modeling of thermal interfaces for next generation cryogenic receivers for Cosmic Microwave Background experiments. Work also includes characterizing thermal architectures and cooling technologies (dilution refrigerators, pulse tube coolers), while overseeing and training several younger/newer graduate students.Analysis work consists of simulating instrument systematics to inform science forecasting efforts. Simulations and models are written in python and focus specifically on atmospheric and detector fabrication effects on the instrument's measured detector bandpass. Results from the models help set calibration standards given the experiment's overall science goals.

Washington, Dc, Us

NASA Space Technology Research Fellow working on a project titled "Development of Inflation Probe Technologies for the Advanced ACT (AdvACT) Experiment". Through research completed as part of the Advanced ACTPol Collaboration, my goal is to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of the various development needs specified by NASA in their Technology Roadmaps Guide to the development of space-based experiments. My instrumental work focuses on cryogenic detectors and focal planes as well as state of the art optical devices and remote sensing instruments, while my data work is geared towards time-ordered data modeling/analysis, Fourier Series analysis, and noise modeling/reduction in python.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Research group is the ACT Collaboration. ACTPol is a polarization sensitive detector array that operates at two frequencies, 146 GHz and 90 GHz. The detectors operate at milli-kelvin temperatures in a cryostat cooled by a dilution refrigerator and monitored by an advanced thermometry readout system. We are sensitive to millimeter light and primarily make observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).Previous work includes the design and integration of a Half Wave Plate (HWP) for the ACTPol receiver. I played an integral role in the mechanical design of the device itself as well as the development of an electronic control/pressurized air supply system. The instrument itself is integrated into our data stream via a UEI Data Acquisition System. The HWP will modulate the incoming polarization signal, allowing us to make observations of the Gravitational Wave signals from inflation at large angular scales. Extensive performance and data analysis is ongoing, with full instrument expected to be operating by mid 2016.Current work includes the design and integration of next generation millimeter wavelength detector arrays for the Advanced ACT (AdvACT) experiment. AdvACT will consist of high frequency (150 and 230 GHz), middle frequency (90 and 150 GHz), and low frequency (28 and 41 GHz) arrays. My job focuses on the mechanical design of the camera and camera package itself alongside colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Princeton, Cornell, and the University of Michigan among others. I have also performed various on-site jobs including detector and optics installation, cryostat assembly, thermometry readout/integration, and telescope operation. In addition I serve as a remote observer, controlling telescope operations and CMB observing from North America.

Co-leading a team of four undergraduate University of Pennsylvania students in the Wharton Analytics Fellows Program. Working with Citi Ventures' Quantitative Analysis and Data Science Group to develop machine learning techniques to analyze economist's forecasts of risks and economic performance of sovereign nations. Final model will be incorporated into Citi's trading businesses to mimic experts' judgement on per-day timescales.

Collegeville, Pa, Us

Our group at Ursinus College focused on developing computer models for atomic physics research. Our focus was primarily on the energy exchange of ultra-cold Rydberg Atoms and their energy level resonance via the Start Effect. Research of this type has direct applications to quantum computing. The simulations were written in the C and C++ language. I presented the results of our work at several conferences, including the Haverford Undergraduate Research Symposium at Haverford College, Celebration of Student Achievement (COSA) at Ursinus College, and The Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (DAMOP) Conference 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Student Researcher for the International Summer Research Program in Gravitational-Wave Physics. Worked alongside ADAMIS and VIRGO group members developing simulations of a global electromagnetic follow up program for gravitational wave (GW) detections. The model determines the probability of an electromagnetic follow up observation of a potential GW signal given an array of telescopes in various locations.The simulation is written in MATLAB and incorporates extensive analysis of large data sets. The code is efficient in the fact that it can evaluate hundreds of thousands of data points within a reasonable time frame. Presentations summarizing my results were given to both the VIRGO Group in Paris, France and to fellow students in the research program at the University of Florida.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Physics And Astronomy

Master’S Degree, Physics And Astronomy

Bachelor'S Degree, Physics And Astronomy

High School