Dr. Brian A. Hicks Profile

Dr. Brian A. Hicks

Principal Systems Engineer

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Area of Expertise:

High contrast imaging systems , Astronomical optics , Segmented telescopes , Interferometry , Spectroscopy , Space-based instrumentation

Publications (26)

Proceedings Article | 23 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Achieved maturation of key component-level technologies to enable large, segmented apertures in an ultra-stable optical architecture

Laura Coyle, Tyler McCracken, Laurent Pueyo, Remi Soummer, Matthew East, Jonathan Arenberg, Bob Hellekson, Todd Lawton, Marcel Bluth, James Tucker, Sang Park, Michael Eisenhower, Benjamin Cromey, Jeremy Shugrue, Joseph Ho, Jake Crouse, Alex Klein, Dustin Putnam, Brian Hicks, Randy Abbott, Bruce Hardy, Ananya Sahoo, Iva Laginja, Sean Brennan, Colin Kingsley, Vincent Tagliamonti, Vera Versteeg, David Stewart, Laurie Hill, Michael Lesczynski, Sze Chaung

Proceedings Volume 13092, 130921K (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3014539

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Control systems, Design, Coronagraphy, Sensors, Telescopes, Optical surfaces, Deformation, Simulations, Wavefront errors

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 15 November 2023 Open Access

Open Access

James Webb Space Telescope optical stability lessons learned for future great observatories

Lee Feinberg, Michael McElwain, Charles Bowers, John Johnston, Gary Mosier, Randy Kimble, Joshua Levi, Lightsey, Ball Aerospace, Boulder, Colorado, United States, J. Knight, Marcel Bluth, Alden Jurling, Marie Levine, D. Scott Acton, Charles Atkinson, Allison Barto, Matthew Bergkoetter, Gregory Brady, Larkin Carey, Lester Cohen, Laura Coyle, Bruce Dean, Michael Eisenhower, Nicolas Flagey, George Hartig, Keith Havey, Brian Hicks, Joseph Howard, Ritva Keski-Kuha, Charles-Philippe Lajoie, Matthew Lallo, Gary Matthews, Marcio Meléndez, Michael Menzel, Sang Park, Marshall Perrin, Laurent Pueyo, Lisbeth Quesnel, Paul Reynolds, Jane Rigby, Babak Saif, Christopher Stark, Randal Telfer, Scott Texter, Julie Van Campen, Begona Vila, Garrett West, Erin Wolf, Tony Whitman, Thomas Zielinski

JATIS, Vol. 10, Issue 01, 011204, (November 2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.10.1.011204

KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Telescopes, Inspection, Online learning, Observatories, Thermal stability, Temperature metrology, Design, Cryogenics, Interfaces

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Proceedings Article | 5 October 2023 Presentation

Presentation

Continued maturation of enabling component-level technologies for large, segmented ultra-stable telescopes

Laura Coyle, John Knight, Laurent Pueyo, Matthew East, Bob Hellekson, Jonathan Arenberg, Marcel Bluth, Sang Park, James Tucker, Brian Hicks, Benjamin Cromey, Jeremy Shugrue, Rémi Soummer, Ananya Sahoo, Sean Brennan, Todd Lawton, Michael Eisenhower

Proceedings Volume 12676, 1267602 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676053

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Sensors, Analytical research, Actuators, Wavefronts, Simulations, Observatories, Mirror structures, Metrology, Large telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Paper

Paper

Two novel approaches for determining the sky position of an unstacked, segmented-mirror telescope

Gregory Wirth, Nicolas Flagey, Michael Gordon, Brian Hicks, D. Scott Acton, J. Scott Knight, Paul Lightsey

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121803W (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2629036

KEYWORDS: Image segmentation, Stars, Telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Image processing, Device simulation, Image processing algorithms and systems, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Picometer-scale edge sensing and actuation for ultra-stable mission concepts

Benjamin Cromey, Brian Hicks, Jeremy Shugrue, Joseph Ho, Courtney Owen, Austin Grossman, Natalie Fan, Brooke Walters, J. Scott Knight, Laura Coyle

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121805Y (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2628183

KEYWORDS: Actuators, Sensors, Electronics, Signal to noise ratio, Mirrors, Head, Capacitors, Telescopes, Distance measurement

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Achieved technology maturation of key component-level technologies for ultra-stable optical systems

Laura Coyle, J. Scott Knight, Laurent Pueyo, Matthew East, Robert Hellekson, Marcel Bluth, Sang Park, James Tucker, Brian Hicks, Benjamin Cromey, Ananya Sahoo, Remi Soummer, Sean Brennan, Todd Lawton, Jonathan Arenberg, Michael Eisenhower

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121802K (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2627057

KEYWORDS: Control systems, Mirrors, Telescopes, Sensors, Coronagraphy, Metrology, Composites, Actuators, Active sensors

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Phasing the Webb Telescope

D. Scott Acton, Scott Knight, Maria Carrasquilla, Nick Weiser, Michaela Masciarelli, Sarah Jurczyk, Greg Rapp, Julio Mueckay, Erin Wolf, Jess Murphy, Larkin Carey, Eric Coppock, Chanda Walker, Joel Runnels, Garrett West, Greg Wirth, Brian Hicks, Katie Melbourne, Michael Gordon, Bob Brown, Stefano Grimaldi, Derek Sabatke, Ray Wright, Laura Coyle, Taylor Chonis, Kevin Whiteaker, Marshall Perrin, Tom Comeau, Charles-Philippe Lajoie, George Hartig, Tracy Beck, Matt Lallo, Mike Regan, Randal Telfer, Marcio Meléndez, Greg Brady, Laurent Pueyo, Nicolas Flagey, Bernard Kulp, Ed Nelan, Kiera Brooks, Pierre Chayer, Shannon Osborne, Sherie Holfeltz, Tony Sohn, Tom Zielinski, Alden Jurling, Matt Bergkoetter, Chuck Bowers, Bruce Dean, Lee Feinberg, Ritva Keski-Kuha, Jeff Kirk, Michael McElwain, Joe Howard

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121800U (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2633474

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Wavefronts, Image processing, Actuators, Sensors, Phase retrieval

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

James Webb Space Telescope wavefront commissioning contingency response

Brian Hicks, Taylor Chonis, Eric Coppock, Michael Gordon, Katherine Melbourne, Gregory Wirth, Erin Wolf, D. Scott Acton, Brian Bauer, Maria Carrasquilla, Lee Feinberg, J. Scott Knight, Derek Sabatke, Chanda Walker, Garrett West, Ray Wright

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121803U (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630359

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Mirrors, Actuators, Wavefront sensors, James Webb Space Telescope, Phase retrieval

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 24 August 2021 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Technology maturation of key component-level technologies for ultra-stable optical systems

Laura Coyle, J. Scott Knight, Laurent Pueyo, Matthew East, Robert Hellekson, Marcel Bluth, Sang Park, Brian Hicks, Benjamin Cromey, Ananya Sahoo, Sean Brennan, Todd Lawton, Michael Eisenhower, James Tucker, Jonathan Arenberg

Proceedings Volume 11820, 118200C (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594643

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Sensors, Control systems, Metrology, Coronagraphy, Distortion, Actuators, Composites, Thermal sensing, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Presentation

Presentation

Progress towards hardware demonstrations of critical component-level technologies for ultra-stable optical systems

Laura Coyle, J. Scott Knight, Brian Hicks, Benjamin Cromey, Laurent Pueyo, Matthew East, Sean Brennan, Todd Lawton, Jonathan Arenberg, Robert Hellekson, Marcel Bluth, James Tucker, Sang Park, Michael Eisenhower

Proceedings Volume 11443, 1144323 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560185

KEYWORDS: Analytical research, Sensing systems, Thermal sensing, Coronagraphy, Astronomical telescopes, Wavefronts, Large telescopes, Active remote sensing, Control systems, Distortion

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Proceedings Article | 12 July 2018 Paper

Paper

The segmented aperture interferometric nulling testbed (SAINT) III: control systems analysis and preliminary results

Brian Hicks, Keith Jahoda, Peter Petrone, Teresa Sheets, Patricia Boyd

Proceedings Volume 10698, 106986M (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2318756

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Interferometry, Control systems, Telescopes, Point spread functions, Space telescopes, Coronagraphy, Deformable mirrors, Nulling interferometry, Image segmentation

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Proceedings Article | 1 September 2017 Paper

Paper

Segmented Aperture Interferometric Nulling Testbed (SAINT) II: component systems update

Brian Hicks, Matthew Bolcar, Michael Helmbrecht, Peter Petrone, Elliot Burke, James Corsetti, Thomas Dillon, Andrew Lea, Samuel Pellicori, Teresa Sheets, Ron Shiri, Jack Agolli, John DeVries, Andrew Eberhardt, Tyler McCabe

Proceedings Volume 10400, 104001I (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273905

KEYWORDS: Interferometry, Imaging systems, Image segmentation, Segmented mirrors, Control systems, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Wavefronts, Nulling interferometry, Wavefront sensors

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Proceedings Article | 31 August 2017 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The development and characterization of advanced broadband mirror coatings for the far-UV

Arika Egan, Brian Fleming, James Wiley, Manuel Quijada, Javier Del Hoyo, John Hennessy, Brian Hicks, Kevin France, Nicholas Kruczek, Nicholas Erickson

Proceedings Volume 10397, 1039715 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2274141

KEYWORDS: Optical coatings, Mirrors, Atomic layer deposition, Reflectivity, Imaging spectroscopy, Ultraviolet radiation, Polarization, Physical vapor deposition, Space mirrors, Thin film coatings

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Paper

Recent developments with the visible nulling coronagraph

Brian Hicks, Richard Lyon, Matthew Bolcar, Mark Clampin, Peter Petrone, Michael Helmbrecht, Joseph Howard, Ian Miller

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99072O (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2234315

KEYWORDS: Exoplanets, Space telescopes, Image segmentation, Coronagraphy, Telescopes, Nulling interferometry, Wavefronts, Point spread functions, Sensors, Deformable mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 29 July 2016 Paper

Paper

The Segmented Aperture Interferometric Nulling Testbed (SAINT) I: overview and air-side system description

Brian Hicks, Richard Lyon, Peter Petrone, Marlin Ballard, Matthew Bolcar, Jeff Bolognese, Mark Clampin, Peter Dogoda, Daniel Dworzanski, Michael Helmbrecht, Corina Koca, Ron Shiri

Proceedings Volume 9904, 990420 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2234313

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Interferometry, Telescopes, Mirrors, Coronagraphy, Image segmentation, Point spread functions, Exoplanets, Control systems, James Webb Space Telescope

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 8 July 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Special Section Guest Editorial: In Memoriam, Richard G. (Rick) Lyon

Brian Hicks

JATIS, Vol. 2, Issue 04, 041202, (July 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.041202

KEYWORDS: Exoplanets, Imaging systems, Coronagraphy, Roads, Astrophysics, Data centers, Deconvolution, Interferometry, Astronomy

SPIE Journal Paper | 25 January 2016

Exoplanet detection and characterization via parallel broadband nulling coronagraphy

Brian Hicks

JATIS, Vol. 2, Issue 01, 011015, (January 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.2.1.011015

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Coronagraphy, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Stars, Point spread functions, Wavefronts, Beam splitters, Polarization, Exoplanetary science

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Proceedings Article | 16 September 2015 Paper

Paper

Maturing CCD photon-counting technology for space flight

Udayan Mallik, Richard Lyon, Peter Petrone, Michael McElwain, Dominic Benford, Mark Clampin, Brian HIcks

Proceedings Volume 9605, 960515 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189904

KEYWORDS: Electron multiplying charge coupled devices, Cameras, Clocks, Sensors, Coronagraphy, Exoplanets, Stars, Amplifiers, Planets, Charge-coupled devices

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Proceedings Article | 11 September 2015 Paper

Paper

Demonstrating broadband billion-to-one contrast with the Visible Nulling Coronagraph

Brian Hicks, Richard Lyon, Peter Petrone, Ian Miller, Matthew Bolcar, Mark Clampin, Michael Helmbrecht, Udayan Mallik

Proceedings Volume 9605, 96050K (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189101

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Coronagraphy, Nulling interferometry, Camera shutters, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Spatial frequencies, Tolerancing, Optical alignment, Exoplanets

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SPIE Journal Paper | 28 October 2014

Interferometric nulling limits with tip-tilt-piston deformable mirrors and a pinhole spatial filter array

Supriya Chakrabarti, Timothy Cook, Brian Hicks

JATIS, Vol. 1, Issue 01, 019001, (October 2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.1.1.019001

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Spatial filters, Deformable mirrors, Signal to noise ratio, Interferometry, Image segmentation, Spatial frequencies, Targeting Task Performance metric, Nulling interferometry, Point spread functions

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2014 Paper

Paper

High-contrast visible nulling coronagraph for segmented and arbitrary telescope apertures

Brian Hicks, Richard Lyon, Matthew Bolcar, Mark Clampin, Peter Petrone

Proceedings Volume 9143, 91432S (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056296

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Coronagraphy, Image segmentation, Spatial frequencies, Space telescopes, Polarization, Coating, Mirrors, Wavefronts, Tolerancing

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Proceedings Article | 26 September 2013 Paper

Paper

Direct imaging of exoplanetary systems with a monolithic multispectral camera

Brian Hicks, Kathleen Oram, Nikole Lewis, Christopher Mendillo, Paul Bierden, TImothy Cook, Supriya Chakrabarti

Proceedings Volume 8864, 886408 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2026991

KEYWORDS: Cameras, Exoplanets, Nulling interferometry, Imaging systems, Mirrors, Sensors, Wavefronts, Wavefront sensors, Diffraction, Point spread functions

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Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper

Paper

PICTURE: a sounding rocket experiment for direct imaging of an extrasolar planetary environment

Christopher Mendillo, Brian Hicks, Timothy Cook, Thomas Bifano, David Content, Benjamin Lane, B. Martin Levine, Douglas Rabin, Shanti Rao, Rocco Samuele, Edouard Schmidtlin, Michael Shao, J. Kent Wallace, Supriya Chakrabarti

Proceedings Volume 8442, 84420E (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926408

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Nulling interferometry, Mirrors, Calibration, Cameras, Space telescopes, National Ignition Facility, Interferometers, Rockets, Ferroelectric materials

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

Progress in the development of MANIC: a monolithic nulling interferometer for characterizing extrasolar environments

Brian Hicks, Timothy Cook, Benjamin Lane, Supriya Chakrabarti

Proceedings Volume 7734, 77340N (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857576

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Interferometers, Mirrors, Ferroelectric materials, Prisms, Adaptive optics, Wavefronts, Sensors, Exoplanets, Spatial filters

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2009 Paper

Paper

The Monolithic Achromatic Nulling Interference Coronagraph (MANIC) testbed

Brian Hicks, Timothy Cook, Benjamin Lane, Christopher Mendillo, Paul Jung, Supriya Chakrabarti

Proceedings Volume 7440, 74401B (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826455

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Ferroelectric materials, Coronagraphy, Mirrors, Prisms, Sensors, Exoplanets, Beam splitters, Adaptive optics, Polarization

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Proceedings Article | 8 February 2008 Paper

Paper

Path length control in a nulling coronagraph with a MEMS deformable mirror and a calibration interferometer

Shanti Rao, J. Kent Wallace, Rocco Samuele, Supriya Chakrabarti, Timothy Cook, Brian Hicks, Paul Jung, Benjamin Lane, B. Martin Levine, Chris Mendillo, Edouard Schmidtlin, Mike Shao, Jason Stewart

Proceedings Volume 6888, 68880B (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.763652

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Calibration, Targeting Task Performance metric, Interferometers, Mirrors, Actuators, Coronagraphy, Deformable mirrors, Cameras, Microelectromechanical systems

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Showing 5 of 26 publications

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