Faculty
Paul Scott Carney
Associate Professor
4061 Beckman Institute, MC-251
405 N. Mathews
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 265-5428
Ph.D. Physics University of Rochester June 1999
Research Statement:
My research is primarily in the field of theoretical optics. Lately the work has focused on inverse scattering with inhomogeneous fields. The main area of application is in near-field imaging, though there is considerable overlap with other problems such as tomographic imaging with photon density waves in diffusive media and various forms of probe microscopy. We have developed semi-analytic solutions to the inverse scattering problem that lead to stable, efficient algorithms for a broad class of experiments. Many open problems remain in this program such as development of nonlinear inversion methods, limited data reconstruction, and improved forward modeling. I am also working on problems in the propagation, guiding, and scattering of surface waves. There is a great deal of interest in this subject among researchers working towards large scale integrated optics.
Teaching Statement:
I teach three graduate-level optics course, ECE 569, "Coherence, Diffraction, and Information," ECE 570, "Nonlinear Optics," and ECE 598PSC, "Advanced Coherence Theory," on a rotation. I also teach ECE 445, Senior Design on a regular basis. These courses have in common an absence of exams and an emphasis on individual achievement through a term project.
Research Interests:
- Optical physics including imaging, near-field microscopy, classical and quantum coherence theory, beam propagation, fundamental issues of energy conservation, and mathematical methods in inverse scattering and the propagation of light.
For more information:
Optical Science Group
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements
- Fulbright Scholar (The Netherlands) 2008-2009.
- Honorary Member, HKN, Spring 2006
- NSF CAREER Award 2002
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching
- Incomplete list of teachers ranked excellent by their students, Fall 2004 (ECE 569), Spring 2005 (ECE 445), Spring 2006 (ECE 445) , Spring 2007 (ECE 598PSC), Fall 2007 (ECE 445 and ECE 569)
- Accenture Outstanding Advisor Award 2003-04 and 2007-2008
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research
- Honorary Member, HKN, Spring 2006
- A.O. Beckman Research Award (awarded by the Research Board)