Half body portrait of Randy McEntaffer in a black suite and blue tie, clean shaven, tight haircut with black hair, natural smile.

Randy McEntaffer

Professor

Education

  • Ph.D. (2007) • Astrophysics • University of Colorado, Boulder
  • M.S. (2002) • Astrophysics • University of Colorado, Boulder
  • B.S. (2000) • Astronomy • University of Iowa
  • B.S. (2000) • Physics • University of Iowa

Current Position

  • Professor and Head, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
  • I specialize in the design, fabrication, testing, and implementation of diffraction gratings for high throughput, high resolving power astrophysical observations. I study nanofabrication methodologies, alignment and testing of aligned grating modules, and the incorporation of grating modules into space-based spectrometers.

Top – Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) image of a grating cross-section. This is a grating replica with ~160 nm period and 25ᵒ blaze in a sol-gel resist. Middle – Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) image of the same grating replica (upper middle) and a second AFM image showing the replica coated with 30 nm of Ni. Bottom – Mission patches for the Water Recovery X-ray Rocket (WRXR) and the Rockets for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy (tREXS), two NASA suborbital rocket missions utilizing diffuse X-ray spectrographs and PI’ed by McEntaffer.
Top – Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) image of a grating cross-section. This is a grating replica with ~160 nm period and 25ᵒ blaze in a sol-gel resist. Middle – Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) image of the same grating replica (upper middle) and a second AFM image showing the replica coated with 30 nm of Ni. Bottom – Mission patches for the Water Recovery X-ray Rocket (WRXR) and the Rockets for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy (tREXS), two NASA suborbital rocket missions utilizing diffuse X-ray spectrographs and PI’ed by McEntaffer.

Technology Interests

  • X-ray and UV diffraction gratings
  • Nanofabrication techniques: electron-beam lithography, dry etching, wet etching, deposition, grayscale lithography, thermal reflow, replication
  • Alignment of optical systems especially reflection grating arrays and grating array to telescope mirror assembly
  • Stress characterization in optical coatings
  • Application of grating spectrographs in suborbital rocket missions with relevance to future strategic missions

Goals and Aspirations

  • Continue to grow the next generation of professionals in our field through training and mentoring in an academic setting.
  • Create new optics and methodologies that enable new science capabilities.
  • Advocate for technology development funding given its importance in establishing university research groups and its substantial impact on training new researchers.
  • Increase accessibility in our field through support and advocacy for traditionally underrepresented and underserved groups