Michael Zemcov Headshot

Michael Zemcov

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science

585-475-2338
Office Location

Michael Zemcov

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science

Education

BSc, University of British Columbia (Canada); Ph.D., Cardiff University (United Kingdom)

Bio

I am a research professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy and director of RIT's Experimental Astrophysics Laboratory. My research centers on instrumentation for cosmological observations, including the cosmic microwave and infra-red backgrounds. I develop instruments and data analysis methods for a variety of platforms, including ground-based, sub-orbital rockets, and orbital observatories. Currently, my scientific focus is on the epoch of reionization, secondary anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background, and studies of the history of star formation in the Universe using novel techniques and experiments. I have extensive experience with instrumentation, observation and data analysis for astrophysics throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from the optical to the radio, with particular emphasis on the infra-red and sub-mm/mm regimes. My group is currently involved in several projects in a variety of roles, ranging from technology development to the scientific interpretation of data from mature instruments.

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585-475-2338

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Areas of Expertise

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Published Conference Proceedings
Mercado, Dale, et al. "Development of a Fourier transform spectrometer for the calibration of THz on-chip spectrometers." Proceedings of the Proceedings Volume 12190, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy XI. Ed. Jonas Zmuidzinas, Jian-Rong Gao. Montreal, Canada: SPIE, 2022. Web.
Takimoto, Kohji, et al. "Pre-flight optical test and calibration for the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment 2 (CIBER-2) Show affiliations." Proceedings of the Proceedings of the SPIE: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave;. Ed. Makenzie Lystrup, Marshall D. Perrin, Natalie Batalha, Nicholas Siegler, Edward C. Tong. San Diego, CA: SPIE, 2020. Web.
Crill, Brendan, et al. "SPHEREx: NASA's near-infrared spectrophotometric all-sky survey." Proceedings of the Proceedings of the SPIE: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave. Ed. Makenzie Lystrup, Marshall D. Perrin, Natalie Batalha, Nicholas Siegler, Edward C. Tong. San Diego, CA: SPIE, 2020. Web.
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Journal Paper
Sun, Fengwu, et al. "ALMA Lensing Cluster Survey: ALMA-Herschel Joint Study of Lensed Dusty Star-forming Galaxies across z ≃ 0.5 - 6." The Astrophysical Journal 932. 2 (2022): 36. Web.
Butler, Victoria, et al. "Measurement of the Relativistic Sunyaev-Zeldovich Correction in RX J1347.5-1145." The Astrophysical Journal 932. 1 (2022): 15. Web.
Takimoto, Kohji, et al. "Polarization Spectrum of Near-Infrared Zodiacal Light Observed with CIBER." The Astrophysical Journal 926. 1 (2022): 16. Web.
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Invited Keynote/Presentation
Zemcov, Michael. "An Opportunity for Astrophysics from the Outer Solar System." 42nd COSPAR Meeting. COSPAR. Pasadena, CA. 1 Jul. 2018. Conference Presentation.

Currently Teaching

ASTP-790
1 - 3 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
ASTP-791
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
ASTP-799
1 - 4 Credits
An independent study in an area of astrophysical sciences and technology not covered in the available courses. This study may be reading study of an appropriate textbook, literature review, or other appropriate work. The course requires a formal proposal, faculty sponsor, and program approval.
ASTP-890
1 - 6 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
ASTP-891
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
PHYS-493
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving observational or theoretical work in astrophysics that could be considered of an original nature.
PHYS-616
3 Credits
This course is an introductory graduate-level overview of techniques in and applications of data analysis in physics and related fields. Topics examined include noise and probability, model fitting and hypothesis testing, signal processing, Fourier methods, and advanced computation and simulation techniques. Applications are drawn from across the contemporary physical sciences, including soft matter, solid state, biophysics, and materials science. The subjects covered also have applications for students of astronomy, signal processing, scientific computation, and others.
PHYS-790
1 - 4 Credits
Graduate-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
PHYS-791
0 Credits
Graduate-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.

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