Tim Blasius Email & Phone Number

Pasadena, Ca, Us

Pasadena, Ca Usa

I am currently a senior graduate student in Professor Oskar Painter's quantum photonics research group. The main thrust of my research has been developing chip-scale sensors using photonic crystal cavities formed in silicon and silicon nitride substrates. The world's most exquisite displacement sensors utilize the interaction between light in an optical cavity and the mechanical motion of the mirrors of that cavity - the so-called "optomechanical" interaction. This strong interaction has been used to observe the quantum ground state of mechanical resonators and in the search for gravitational waves by LIGO. Typical displacement resolutions attainable by on-chip photonic crystal cavities is ~0.1 fm/rt-Hz, which means that if the mechanical object moves by 1/10 of a proton radius, the sensor will detect it. This is orders of magnitude better than standard MEMS read-out mechanisms such as capacitive, piezoelectric, piezoresistive, and electron tunneling. Therefore, I have set out to leveraged this distinct advantage to create ultra-precise inertial sensors using on-chip optomechanics.I am an inventor on a patent for an optomechanical accelerometer and I was one of the lead authors on a Nature Photonics publication demonstrating it. I have led a team of researchers comprised of a postdoc and a senior graduate student developing an optomechanical gyroscope. I have also played a vital role in securing funding at several (6) program reviews for multi-million dollar DARPA grants. The DARPA research grants I was a part of were consistently more than a year ahead of their required milestones.

Pasadena, Ca Usa

I was the Head TA responsible for an introduction to quantum physics class that every Caltech undergraduate must take. - Led two 1-hour recitation sections each week comprised of lectures and discussions and held office hours. - Organized seven other TA's for grading of all homeworks and exams for the course. - Crafted exam questions, solution guides, and exam reviews. - Assigned final grades, judged extension requests, organized make-up work, and maintained course webpage.

Pasadena, Ca Usa

I led two 1-hour recitation sections each week comprised of lectures and discussions and held office hours. - My ability to explain difficult subject matter led to well-attended discussion sections and office hours.

Ann Arbor, Mi Usa

I was hired by the science learning center and physics department to lead study groups for both introductory and advanced physics courses. - I was nominated by faculty recommendation to physics department position based upon demonstrated knowledge of subject material and ability to effectively communicate complex ideas.

Gainesville, Fl Usa

I researched a new class of superconducting crystals in the laboratory of Professor Gregory Stewart - My results were published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented independently by me at the American Physical Society March Meeting, and formed the backbone of my senior thesis at the University of Michigan.

South Bend, In Usa

I characterized superconductor structure by observing magnetic vortices in the laboratory of Professor Morten Eskildsen. - Results were disseminated in three publications in peer-reviewed journals. - I earned unique research grant to complete follow-up research in Grenoble, France. - I was offered Notre Dame's most prestigious graduate fellowship, the Notebaert fellowship, due primarily to my work in this lab and my undergraduate career as a whole.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Physics, 3.90/4.00

Master Of Science (Ms), Physics, 3.90/4.00

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Physics, Mathematics (Mathematical Physics), 3.99/4.00 (Rounded)

Summa Cum Laude Highest Honors in Physics Published Senior Thesis