Science - Astronomical Instrumentation: People: James Bock

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Astronomical Instrumentation: People

Address:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
M/S 169-327
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109

Phone:
818.354.0715 (JPL) and 626.395.2017 (Caltech)

Fax:
818.354.1004 (JPL) and 626.584.9929 (Caltech)

Email:
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James Bock

Education

B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, Summa cum laude - Duke University (1987)
M.A. Physics, University of California at Berkeley (1990)
Ph.D. Physics, University of California at Berkeley (1994)

Research Interests

Infrared/millimeter-wave detectors and instrumentation
Far-infrared galaxy photometric and spectroscopic surveys
Cosmic microwave background anisotropy and polarization
Sunyaev-Zel'dovich cluster surveys

Available Post-Doc Position

CMB Polarization
We are developing experimental approaches to fundamental questions in cosmology. The group develops novel, state-of-the-art instrumentation to study the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background, the origins of the first stars and galaxies, and the formation and evolution of far-infrared galaxies. Current opportunities include CMB polarization experiments BICEP and QUAD operating from the South Pole. We anticipate a second-generation instrument using large arrays of TES antenna-coupled bolometers to increase sensitivity after BICEP and QUAD complete their observing campaigns. A new balloon-borne experiment (SPIDER) will map about half the sky in a single flight, for studying polarization on large angular scales. Commensurate with these specialized instruments, the Planck satellite will observe the entire sky in both temperature and polarization. To search for signatures of first-light galaxies in the near-infrared extragalactic background, we are developing a unique sounding rocket experiment named CIBER. Finally, after a 2008 launch, the Herschel SPIRE instrument will conduct large surveys of far-infrared galaxies in the sub-millimeter band. The brightest of these galaxies can be studied in their CO lines using the ZSPEC mm-wave spectrometer now observing at the CSO.

Projects

Boomerang
The continuing mission of the Boomerang project is to study the properties of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMBR).

Herschel
The Herschel Space Observatory is a space-based telescope that will study the Universe by the light of the far-infrared and submillimeter portions of the spectrum.

Spider
Spider is a balloon borne observatory designed to probe the epoch of Inflation through measurements of the CMB polarization on the largest angular scales. Large format planar arrays and wide area sky coverage enable a definitive measurement of the signatu

BICEP
BICEP (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization) is an experiment designed to measure the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to unprecedented precision.

Professional Experience

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1994 - Present)

Principal Scientist (2002 - Present)
Research Scientist (1999 - 2002)
Scientist (1996 - 1999)
Postdoctoral Scholar (1994 - 1996)

California Institute of Technology, Visiting Faculty (1994 - Present)

Selected Awards

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, JPL (2001)
Exceptional Technical Excellence Award, JPL (2001)
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, JPL (2000)
Lew Allen Award, JPL (2000)
US PI, SPIRE Herschel Space Observatory, JPL (1997)
Co-I Planck Surveyor HFI, JPL (1997)
NASA GSRP Fellow, U. C. Berkeley (1991-1994)
NSF Graduate Fellow, U.C. Berkeley (1988-1991)
University Fellow, U.C. Berkeley (1987-1988)
Julia Dale Prize in Mathematics, Duke University (1987)

Selected Publications

J. E. Ruhl et al. (2002), "Improved Measurement of the Angular Power Spectrum of Temperature Anisotropy in the CMB from Two New Analyses of BOOMERanG Observations," astro-ph 0212229.
M.J. Griffin, J.J. Bock, and W.J. Gear (2002), "The Relative Performance of Filled and Feedhorn-Coupled Focal-Plane Architectures," Applied Optics, in press.
A. D. Turner et al. (2001), "Si3N4 Micromesh Bolometer Array for Sub-millimeter Astrophysics," Applied Optics, 40, 4921.
J.J. Bock, G. Neugebauer, K. Matthews, B.T. Soifer, E.E. Becklin, M.E. Ressler, K. Marsh, M.W. Werner, E Egami, and R. Blanford (2000), "High Spatial Resolution Imaging of NGC 1068 in the Mid-Infrared," Astronomical Journal, 120, 2904.
J.-M. Lamarre et al. (2000), "The High Frequency Instrument of Planck: Design and Performances," Astrophysical Letters and Comm., 37, 161.

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