Education

Master of Science, Applied Physics
    Georgia Institute of Technology    1985

Bachelor of Science, Physics
    Georgia Institute of Technology    1984


Employment History

Georgia Tech Research Institute
    Senior Research Scientist    2000-Present
    Research Scientist II    1990-2000
    Research Scientist I    1986-1990
    Half Time Research Scientist I    1986

Image Systems Inc.
    Half Time Optical Engineer    1985-1986

Georgia Tech Research Institute
    Graduate Research Assistant    1984-1985


Experience Summary

Evaluation of Foreign Electro-Optical Systems:

Completely characterized over one hundred models of night vision systems, thermal imagers, laser designators, and laser rangefinders during ten year period for the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center.

Developed large laser-based optical system for precision measurement of the optical cross section of optical instruments, which provides information vital for designing battlefield search systems for the detection of enemy telescopic sights and night vision equipment.

Developed a versatile laser beam profiling system that can be adapted for any laser operating in the 0.4 micron to 1.1 micron wavelength region.

Developed automated spectrometers for measurement of optical component and system transmissions versus wavelength in the visible, near IR, mid-wave IR, and thermal IR regions.

Developed modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement systems for measuring the MTF of lenses and image intensifiers in the visible, near IR, mid-wave IR, and thermal IR regions.

Optical Remote Sensing:

Optical and optomechanical engineer in development of NEXLASER (NEXt generation Laser Air sensor for the SouthEastern Region) automated ozone-profiling LIDAR.

Optical and optomechanical engineer in development of a field-portable Laser Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system for characterization of battlefield obscurants at the Air Force Development Test Center of Eglin Air Force Base.

Designed and constructed an optical system for proof-of-concept turbulence-profiling LIDAR in Air Force-sponsored SBIR research program.

Optical and optomechanical engineer in Southern Oxidants Study LIDAR program, designing and constructing an eyesafe 1.54 micron Raman shifted laser and LIDAR receiver.  

Served as optical and optomechanical engineer in design and construction of an aerosol and cloud LIDAR receiver for the Air Force Starfire Optical Range.

Served as optical and optomechanical engineer for GTRI Four Sensor and Experimental Cloud LIDAR Pilot Study (ECLIPS) LIDAR programs, designing and constructing a dual wavelength LIDAR and all-sky infrared and visible light cameras.

Optical and optomechanical engineer for Air Force MegaLIDAR project based on the 100" aperture vertical collimator telescope at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Optical and optomechanical engineer for GTRI Raman-shifted LIDAR development project, which resulted in an eye-safe LIDAR for observation of clouds and the Earth’s atmospheric boundary layer.

Participated as optical engineer and mechanical designer for Air Force ground-based and airborne LIDAR systems to measure optical characteristics of sub-visual cirrus clouds.

Participated as optical engineer and optomechanical designer in Navy prototype laser bathymetry system for measuring the depth of coastal waters from an airplane.

Designed and constructed a laser-based wind sensor for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Homesaver Project Wind Tunnel that can remotely measure wind speed without obstructing the flow or exposing itself to flying debris.

Participated in development of an airborne scanning laser rangefinder for Southern Applied Technologies.  

Transportation:

Served as project director, system engineer, and optical engineer in the development of a portable retroreflectometer and data collection system for the Georgia Department of Transportation to be used in the inventory and maintenance of Georgia’s one million-plus highway signs.

 

Served as project director, system engineer, and optical engineer in the development of a deployable highway visibility warning system for the Georgia Department of Transportation, which will be used to alert GDOT personnel when smoke from fires obscures roadways.

Miscellaneous:

Performed optical and optomechanical design for U.S. Marines Laser Observation Test and Evaluation Capability (LOTEC), a large telescopic optical system for evaluating the performance of laser designators and rangefinders in the 1.0 to 1.7 micron waveband.

Designed optics and optomechanics for ruggedized interferometric integrated-optical chemical sensor.

Designed and constructed portable stimulator prototypes for the AAR-47 missile warning system.  

Served as optical engineer as well as participant in airborne measurements of infrared and UV aircraft signature measurements for the U.S. Air Force.

Optical and optomechanical engineer for GTRI Speckle Imaging program, participating in construction of a high-speed, low-noise CCD speckle camera for observation of binary stars and asteroids.

Participated as optical engineer in design study for a large stellar interferometer in cooperation with Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy.

Served as optical and optomechanical engineer in the development of a prototype hand-held infrared radiometer for the ALQ-157 infrared seeker jammer.

While employed at Image Systems Inc. designed the optical system and lens accessories for low cost thermal imaging camera operating in the eight to twelve micron spectral range.


Current Fields of Interest

Lens and optical system design; computer modeling of optical systems; optomechanical design; optical metrology of optical and mechanical systems; radiometric measurements, system engineering


Registrations, Professional Affiliations and Special Honors

Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Member


Major Reports and Publications

1. G. G. Gimmestad, D. W. Roberts, J. M. Stewart, L.L. West, J.W. Wood, and A.L. Bowling, “A Simple and Rugged Micropulse Lidar,” 22nd International Laser Radar Conference, 163-166, 12-16 July 2004, Matera, Italy.

2. M.S. Belen’kii, P.S. Gillespie, G.G. Gimmestad, K. Hughes, D.W. Roberts, V. Rye, J.M. Stewart, and J.W. Wood, “Target edge response,” Proc. SPIE 5550, 2-6 August 2004, Denver, Colorado.

3. G.G. Gimmestad and D.W. Roberts, “1.5 Microns: the Future of Unattended Aerosol Lidar?” IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 20-24 September 2004, Anchorage, Alaska.

4. D.W. Roberts, and G.G. Gimmestad, "Optimizing Lidar Dynamic Range by Engineering the Crossover Region,” Laser Radar Technology and Applications VII, Gary W. Kamerman, Editor, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4377, 307 – 316, 2002.

5. D.W. Roberts, and G.G. Gimmestad, "Optimizing Lidar Dynamic Range by Engineering the Crossover Region,” Lidar Remote Sensing in Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, Luc Bissonnette et al, Editors, Proceedings of International Laser Radar Conference 21 Part I, 35 – 38, 2002.

6. G.G. Gimmestad, David Tan, and D.W. Roberts, and, "Development of a differential absorption lidar for NO2 monitoring,” Lidar Remote Sensing in Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, Luc Bissonnette et al, Editors, Proceedings of International Laser Radar Conference 21 Part I, 193 – 196, 2002.

7. Roberts, D.W., Lowrey, J.W., Wood, J. W., “Analysis of Laser Land Mine Triggers,” GNOSTIC BOOM Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0009, November 1999.

8. Roberts, D.W., Lowrey, J.W., Champion, G., “Laser Weapon Analysis,” CERMET PRINCE Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0007, September 1999.

9. Roberts, D.W, Lowrey, J.W., Ewell, G., Champion, G., Wilson, B.J., Special Access Program Final Report, “Laboratory and Field Measurement Results” Project 70015, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0008, August 1999.

10. Roberts, D.W., Lowrey, J.W., Gilbert, A., Mahaffey, J., Special Access Program Final Report Volume IV, “Phase II Laboratory Measurement Results,” Project 50013, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0004, September 1998.

11. Roberts, D.W., Special Access Program Final Report Volume III, “Optical Cross Section Measurement Results,” Project 50013, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0004, September 1998.

12. Roberts, D.W., Lowrey, J.W., Gilbert, A., Mahaffey, J., Special Access Program Final Report Volume II, “Field Test Measurement Results,” Project 50013, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0004, September 1998.

13. Roberts, D.W., Lowrey, J.W., Gilbert, A., Mahaffey, J., Special Access Program Final Report Volume I, “Laboratory Measurement Results,” Project 50013, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0004, September 1998.

14. Roberts, D.W., Welch, G., “Analysis of a Russian Gunner’s Sight with Night Vision Capability,” MOBCAP LION Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0005, May 1998.

15. Roberts, D.W., Welch, G., “Analysis of Chinese Handheld Night Vision Goggles,” MOBCAP LION Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0005, May 1998.

16. Roberts, D.W., Welch, G., “Analysis of Handheld Russian Night Vision Devices,” MOBCAP LION Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0005, May 1998.

17. Roberts, D.W., Welch, G., “Analysis of Chinese Vehicle and Weapon Mounted Night Vision Devices,” MOBCAP LION Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0005, May 1998.

18. Welch, G., Roberts, D.W., “Analysis of Former Soviet Union Vehicle Mounted and Tripod Mounted Night Vision Devices,” MOBCAP LION Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0005, May 1998.

19. Welch, G., Roberts, D.W., “Analysis of Russian Laser Rangefinders/Designators,” OPTIC TALON Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0003, March 1998.

20. Welch, G., Roberts, D.W., “Analysis of Russian and Chinese Laser Rangefinders,” OPTIC TALON Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0003, March 1998.

21. Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Gilbert, A. Mahaffey, J., “Analysis of a Russian Thermal Imager,” OPTIC RIDDLE Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0002, March 1995.

22. Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Gilbert, A., “Russian Hand Held Thermal Imager,” OPOSSUM MAGIC Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-94-D-0002-0001, June 1994.

23. Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Gilbert, A., “Tank Night Vision Devices,” OPOSSUM MAGIC Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-92-G-0002-0001, June 1994.

24. “Boundary Layer Height Measurements with an Eyesafe LIDAR System,” Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere Technical Digest 5, 57-60, 1993, Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., with E. M. Patterson, G. G. Gimmestad, and others

25. “Boundary Layer Height Measurements with an Eyesafe LIDAR,” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Optical Sensing for Environmental of the International Symposium on Optical Sensing for Environmental Monitoring, 11-14 October 1993, Atlanta, Georgia, with G. G. Gimmestad, E. M. Patterson, and others

26. Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Newman, G., “Armored Fighting Vehicle Night Vision Devices,” OPOSSUM PROOF Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-92-G-0001-0004, February 1993.

27. Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Cooper, J.W., “Final Test Report - Russian Night Vision Devices,” RODENT MOTEL Program, U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-92-G-0001-0003, January 1992.

28. “Emission Measurements of WS Therapy Device,” Final Technical Report, Project A-8977, July 1991, with R. H. Platt

29. “LIDAR Observations of Mt. Pinatubo Aerosol Above Atlanta, Georgia,” Technical Digest on Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere 18, OTuE15-1 - OTuE15-3, 1991, (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C.), Addendum and Postdeadline papers, with G. G. Gimmestad, E. M. Patterson, and others

30. “Optical Design and Performance of a 2.54 Meter LIDAR System,” Optical Engineering 30, No. 1, 79-87, January 1991, with R. C. DuVarney, and others

31. “Final Test Report – ORLON WINTER,” U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, Contract No. DAHC90-92-G-0001-0002, July 1990, with Garrison, A.K., Roberts, D.W., Cooper, J.W.

32. “Magneto-Optical Mapper Evaluation,” prepared for U.S. Army Missile Command Research Directorate, Redstone Arsenal, 28 February 1990

33. “Initial Measurements Using a 1.54 micron Eyesafe Raman-Shifted LIDAR,” Applied Optics 28, No. 23, 4978-4980, 1 December 1989, with E. M. Patterson, and G. G. Gimmestad

34. “MegaLIDAR Proof-of-Concept Demonstration,” WRDC-TR-89-1100, October 1989, with J. M. Cathcart, A. K. Garrison, and others

35. “Initial Measurements Using an Eyesafe Raman-Shifted LIDAR,” Conference on Lasers and Electro-optics, Baltimore, MD, 22-26 April 1989, with E. M. Patterson, and G. G. Gimmestad

36. “The CHARA Array: A Feasibility Study for Long-Baseline Optical Interferometry,” in cooperation with Georgia State University Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy, Final Report, NSF Grant AST 84-21304, 6 March 1989, with A. K. Garrison and  M. C. Hetzler

37. “MegaLIDAR,” AFWAL-TR-88-1128, 8 February 1989, with A. K. Garrison, G. W. Grams,and  E. M. Patterson

38. “MegaLIDAR - A MultiLIDAR Facility Using a 100 inch Mirror,” International Laser Radar Conference, Innichen-San Candido, Italy, (20-24 June 1988), with A. K. Garrison, G. G. Gimmestad, and others

39. “Airborne Instrumentation Pod For Atmospheric Characterization,” IRIS Atmospheric Physics Specialty Group Meeting, Laurel, MD, (19-21 May 1987), with G. G. Gimmestad, J. J. Gallager, S. S. Steadman, and J. Bearden

40. “Solar-Blind Pyrometry Research,” SERI XX-4-04007-1, 24 February 1986, P. E. Mackie and R. S. Zabor