• B . A ., Physics, Whitman College, 1984.
• M. S., Physics, Oregon State University, 1991.
• Ph.D., Physics, Oregon State University, 1997.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT

• Teaching Assistant, Whitman College, Dept. of Physics. (1982-1984).
• Research Scientist, Battelle Northwest, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Sensor Physics Group, Automation and Measurement Sciences Department, Applied Physics Center. (1984-1989).
• Graduate Student, Teaching Assistant and Instructor, Oregon State University, Department of Physics. (1989-1996).
• Assistant Professor, SUNY Oswego, Department of Physics. (1996-1997).
• Adjunct Professor, Portland State University, Department of Physics. (1997-1999).
• Adjunct Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Physics. (2000-2001).
• Assistant Professor, Western Oregon University, Department of Physics. (1998-2001).
• Senior Physicist, Photon Kinetics. (2001-Present).

Overview Of Professional Character

• Broad experience working in both theoretical and experimental fields.
• Knowledge of mathematical modeling and software development
• Extensive work with data loggers and computer data acquisition systems.
• Hardware design, development, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Has prototyped many systems, designed sensors, computer data acquisition hardware, and software.
• Considered a good but demanding instructor and project leader.
• Develops good rapport with others; is a sought after advisor, mentor, and instructor.
• Good communicator and conveyer of difficult material.
• Independent and self-motivated.
• Thinks practically and admits limitations.

Summary of Skills

Dr. Matson has broad experience working in both theoretical and experimental fields of physics and applied measurement. His experience includes development and use of both fundamental analytical models and computational models. He also has a range of experience in industrial component characterisation and measurement as well as more basic experimental measurements. Dr. Matson is well acquainted with optical and electronic hardware integration and computer control of such hardware. He has solid working knowledge of mathematical modelling utilising a range of computer languages including C, Fortran, Pascal, Mathematica, Maple, and machine languages. Working with volume visualisation of 3-D and 4-D data, he has acquired experience in high-level languages such as IDL, PV-WAVE, MatLab, AVS. He has worked extensively with data loggers and computer data acquisition including real-time high-throughput systems. He is well known for his problem solving abilities. With his creative touch, he frequently cobbles together working "physics toys".

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Extensive experience teaching undergraduate and graduate level laboratory courses as assistant professor and as teaching assistant. Demonstrated talent for teaching and tutoring. Develops good rapport with students. Considered a good communicator and conveyer of material. Is sought after as a tutor and instructor. Pushes students' abilities without allowing them to become frustrated. Is considered a good but demanding instructor.

• Eleven years of experience in the classroom.

  As assistant professor has taught at SUNY Oswego and WOU :

  • Introductory College Physics (including labs, 4 Years)
  • "Modern" Physics (including labs (3 Years),
  • Introductory Quantum Mechanics (3 Years),
  • Conceptual Physics (1 term)
  • Advanced Physics Lab (1 term)
  • Physics for Elementary Education Majors (PHY206, 2 terms)
  • Light, Colour, & Vision (GS202 Honours, 3 terms)
  • Independent Study (16 students)
  • Independent Research (Advanced Engineering Optics, 1 term)
  • Astronomy (3 terms)

  As instructor at OSU has taught graduate level Computer Interfacing (PH415/515, 3 terms)

  As teaching assistant at OSU has taught:

  • Introductory Physics Lab Courses (PH112, PH201-203 and PH211, 9 terms)
  • Astronomy Lab (PH205, PH205, and PH104, 5 terms)
  • Physics of Light, Color, and Vision Lab (PH332, 6 terms)
  • Physics of Sound and Music Lab (PH331, 5 terms)
  • Conceptual Physics Lab (PH106, 6 terms)
  • Modern Physics Lab (PH314, 3 terms)
  • Physical Optics Lab (PH467, 3 terms).
  
  

• Created web sites for college and university physics PH201-3 and PH211-3 at WOU which include examples, conceptual questions, and solutions to problems assigned in class. Wrote first draft of a new lab activities and lab manual for PH201-3 and PH211-3. Many activities now incourporate computer-aided data acquisition, web-based information gathering, and spreadsheet analysis of data.
  

• Developed a strong computational component to the PH311-2 (modern physics) course at WOU using Mathematica and Maple. Students model black-body radiation, various 1, 2, and 3-D quantum wells, the hydrogen atom (with ever-increasing complexity), and a simple crystal.
  

• Received NSF Oregon CEPT (OCEPT) grants totaling $16K together with a geologist and a science education colleague for the development of an Integrated Earth Systems Science course sequence (GS104-6) at WOU. This very innovative sequence introduces physics, chemistry, atmospheric science, and geology to education majors in a holistic approach to science. Designed and developed labs appropriate for sequence. Wrote one-third of 600 page laboratory guide for the sequence. Developed interactive lecture activities incorpourating peer learning, diverse assessments, diverse cultural references to encourage participation of under-represented groups, and misconception breaking techniques.

• Contracted on $400,000 NSF funded program to create an undergraduate computational physics major at OSU. Contract responsibilities included creating course materials and sections to two textbooks.
  

• Developed laboratory portion of Conceptual Physics course (PH106) at OSU. Designed nine 'exploratorium-style' laboratory sessions including 45 experiments and demonstrations. Specified and purchased & constructed equipment. Wrote laboratory guide and manual.
  

• Wrote proposal for an Applied Technology Program in an attempt to revitalise the physics-chemistry option at WOU. The resulting program would be aimed at preparing students for high-tech jobs in the growing Silicon Forest Industry.
  

• Restructured outdated WOU honours science course into Light, Vision, Colour course. Designed and wrote interactive lab manual and mini-experiments. Carefully designed manual leads students through self-discovery of physics and physiology of vision.
  

• Designed and built new experiments for Physics of Sound and Music (PH331) at OSU and WOU. Rewrote laboratory manuals.
  

• Designed and built new experiments for Applied Physical Optics Laboratory for Hewlett-Packard Laser Ablation technicians. (Contracted by OSU.)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Revitalised fibre optic preform analysis for industry. Developed hardware improving the measurement uncertainty and resolution by more than an order of magnitude. Introduced or improved computational techniques to process complex data sets from preform analyser hardware. Introduced new measurement strategies to minimise the inherent instrumental effects.

• Introduced and wrote 4-D interpolation for calibration and intpretation of real-time airplane flight systems for pilots.

• Developed and introduced new data processing algorithms for remote sensing data such as 3-D sonar.

• Founded research group for study of archaeological applications of ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Ongoing work began 1989. Currently designing innovative mathematical modeling and computer algorithms improving GPR data resolution. Invented techniques to use near-field acoustic diffraction techniques to produce 3-D maps of buried city sites. Worked with group to characterise sites on Madaba Plains, Jordan and Rahov, Israel. Currently pursuing new remote sensing archaeology work at sites in Turkey, Egypt, and Israel.

• Currently pursuing use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) as origin identification tool for ancient pottery.

• Performed research at Battelle PNWL in areas of non-linear and superconducting materials, optical sensor development, and computer hardware and software development. Designed computer-driven integrated optical measurement systems. Devised innovative techniques for analysis of complex data sets. Performed basic experimental and theoretical research & development of sensors.

• Performed research at OSU in instrumentation design using Fourier & Classical optics. Performed theoretical calculations of multi-photon transitions on multiple-level atoms and simple molecules. Developed techniques integrating optical gratings in optical waveguides for surface-sensitive multi-photon spectroscopy. These techniques included exposing a holographic grating using the 351 nm line of an Ar ion laser in a photoresist. Performed calculations on non-monochromatic optical fields in planar waveguides. Calculated local induced non-linear optical field distributions near interfaces.

• Thesis research on theoretical analysis of interface-specific optical mixing (ISOM). Performed numerical calculations on ISOM in waveguide and reflection geometry. Predicted new experiments that should yield surface-specific results. Also performed experiments probing electronic states using four-wave ISOM spectroscopy in waveguides. This research uses a frequency doubled, Q-switched, mode locked Nd:YAG which pumps two tunable dye lasers. Dye lasers provide applied and stimulating fields for the four-wave mixing process; they are coupled into the waveguide and allowed to interact. Resultant waves are coupled out, separated from other waves with a monochromator, and detected with a photomultiplier tube. Timing electronics and computer data acquisition and control hardware provide coincidence and complete automation. Did numerical analysis of self-modelocking in a Nd:YAG laser; made measurements on an existing cavity to verify calculations.

• Current research track on alteration of electronic states of ozone molecules loosely bound to ice surfaces. These surfaces approximate the surfaces of ice crystals in the upper atmosphere mediating ozone destruction chemistry. Currently characterising 'clean' ice surfaces and learning how to grow them reproducibly. As co-principle investigator wrote a NSF-ILI grant (not funded) to build an (initial version of an) ISOM laboratory and improve the undergraduate advanced research laboratories.

• Chemical Sensors Research Cooperative (1988): Developed a directly coupled plasma emission-based fibre optic sensor for monitoring heavy metal contamination in ground water. The sensor probe was designed to sample the air directly above the water level in a well. The sensors are capable of monitoring 10 ppb of heavy metals in ground water. A second type of sensor was designed based on a spark type spectrometer. The sensor probe generates an underwater spark in the well. Emission from the resulting plasma is coupled into a fibre optic. The emission from both sensors are analysed at the surface using conventional techniques. These sensors were designed for real-time in situ monitoring of ground water on the Hanford site in Eastern Washington.

• Optical Sensors for Hydrocarbon Sensing in the Environment (Exploratory Research Program): Spectrochemical sensors for remote sensing of hydrocarbons were investigated. This class of sensors utilised the near infrared transmission properties of zirconium fluoride optical fibres. Three different remote spectrochemical sensors were developed which incorporate these IR transmitting fibre optics; they include a gas absorption cell, a photoacoustic cell, and an inexpensive FR-IR interface to a remote gas analysis cell.

• Lacquer Presence Detection System (1986): Designed and prototyped a system for detecting the presence of a lacquer seal around primers of cartridge cases. The system, eventually developed for use by the US Army, used an Argon-Ion laser to excite fluorescence in the lacquer which could then be optically detected. The system was installed and can inspect parts at 1200 parts per minute with a lower detection limit of .5 microliters of lacquer per seal. Also designed the control software written in machine language (DEC MicroVAX) and Fortran for this system.

• VIS-IR Transmissometer (1986): Assisted in the optical design of transmissometer receiver. The system requirements called for a field hardened telescopic spectrometer including a range from the long NIR to near UV with a dynamic sensitivity of 8 decades. Signal loss, thermal and mechanical stability, and field reliability were key issues of the design. The module was installed in mobile unit for use by the US Army in testing of smoke screen counter measures. My portion of the task involved the design of the optical detection module, development of operating and system software, and the establishment of communication and data interfaces. Design features included field hardening (the system was housed in a rugged van), control with minimum of operator input, and high data collection rates.

• Atmospheric Monitoring System (ATARS) (1988): Designed and wrote computer data acquisition, processing, and user interface software for a van-based atmospheric monitoring system. The system was capable of monitoring optical and infrared surface visibility using telephotometers, integrated ambient light, direct sunlight intensity via solar tracking, and other modular instruments in a multi-tasking data acquisition environment. Based on DEC PDP 11/83 architecture, the system was designed for operation over long periods of time by minimally trained personnel.

• Deconvolution of Geophysical Data (1988-1989): Using novel approaches, developed new mathematical algorithms to process data from near-surface geophysical survey of waste disposal sites. The data such systems produce is extremely convolved; the processing software developed increases the integrity and resolution of such data. The ability to recognise various objects common to buried waste sites (barrels, coffers, tanks) increases the opportunity to efficiently analyse large sites.

• Familiar with use and maintenance of Argon ion, Nd:YAG, Krypton, and diode research lasers.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

• OSU Hillel President (1989-1995): OSU Hillel is the OSU Jewish student group. Duties included: Creating activity calendars, organising and executing events, delegating responsibility for such activities, writing monthly Hillel newsletters, budgeting, securing funding, leading meetings, working with other student groups on campus, answering questions concerning Judaism, maintaining a Jewish element on campus, acting as Jewish student councilor.

• Served as Beit Am board member (1990-1995). Beit Am is the Mid-Willamette Jewish Community Center. Duties included: Acting as liaison between the campus and Corvallis Jewish communities, planning and organising social events.

• Served on committee for nationally-recognised holocaust remembrance week at OSU.

• Spearheaded opening of relations between the Corvallis Muslim and Jewish communities. Planned and helped to organise events with Muslim community.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION MEMBERSHIPS

American Physical Society, American Institute of Archaeology, Biblical Archaeological Society.

HOBBIES