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March 20, 2024

Physics Neff Lecture on March 26 highlights measurement science at NIST

Submitted by Kim Coy

Kristan Corwin

Kristan Corwin, chief of the Applied Physics Division in the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, will present a special endowed lecture to the general public this month.

Corwin will present the James R. Neff lecture at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in Room 103 of Cardwell Hall. The lecture will be at a nontechnical level, and all are invited to attend to hear as Corwin discusses how NIST makes trusted measurements for measurement science and their responsibility for disseminating the Système Internationale, a system of units agreed to by international treaty. Corwin will explain the role of NIST and describe recent changes in the Système Internationale. 

In addition, she'll discuss NIST's metrology work, which extends to measuring laser power and its impacts on everything from satellite-based climate sensing to gravitational wave observatories and discover how NIST's trusted measurements shape the world we live in.

Corwin was a member of the K-State's faculty in physics until 2019 and also served as associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research interests center on nonlinear optics, frequency metrology and novel laser systems, emphasizing gas-filled hollow optical fibers.

She is a fellow of Optica, has co-authored more than 60 publications, holds several patents and received multiple teaching awards. Corwin formerly chaired the American Physical Society Division of Laser Science, or APS DLS, and is now serving as APS DLS councilor. She received the APS Five Sigma Physicist Award in 2019.

Light refreshments will be served before the lecture beginning at 4 p.m. in Room 119 of Cardwell Hall.