Dr Ralph Spencer is a lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
His main astronomical research interests concern the evolution of extragalactic radio sources and the energetics, production and propagation of jets in both galactic and extragalactic objects.
Much of his time is spent on technical development. This includes VLBI and wide band optical fibre linked interferometers including e-MERLIN and the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA)
Dr Spencer has been involved with deveopment work on optical fibres since early
1997. His particular interest is in the phase stability of fibre links
when transmitting microwave signals, since fibres could be used to achieve
coherence in local oscillators for long baseline radio interferometers.
He is currently project manager for the phase 1 work on ALMA at Jodrell
Bank.
David C Brown was born in Wakefield, England. He was awarded a B.Sc in
Physics and Electronics by Manchester University in 1969. He has
worked as a project engineer in the computer industry and as a systems
engineer in the electricity supply industry. He joined Jodrell Bank Observatory in 1978
where is is now employed as a Senior Experimental Officer.
His work
includes the development of computer systems for the control of radio
telescopes and for the reduction of astronomical data. He is a member of
Optical Fibre working group.
His reponsibilities with the group are: embedded microprocesses for monitoring and control; design of printed circuit boards; specification and procurement of electronic components.
Mr Brown is a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.(IEE)
Roshene McCool is the fibre optics engineer at Jodrell Bank.
She was awarded an MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, with French, from Nottingham University in 1994.
Since graduating Roshene has worked as a project engineer in the telecommunications industry.
She joined the fibre optics group at Jodrell Bank in October 2000.
In her role as a fibre specialist to the group her responsibilities include the design and development of fibre links involved in IF data transfer for the ALMA project. She also undertakes advisory work for other projects involving fibre at Jodrell Bank.
Roshene McCool is a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE).
Dr Mike Bentley
Born, 1950 in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
His first degree was in Physics
at Cambridge University, 1972. In 1973 he was awarded an MSc. in Radio Astronomy and in 1976, a PhD in Radio Astronomy, both from Manchester University.
Since 1976 he had worked at Jodrell Bank Observatory specialising in
analogue and microwave system design.
Recent work has involved fibre optics including, a study into the use of
analogue optical fibre links for radio astronomy interferometers with
British Telecommunications and the installation of fibre cable on the Jodrell Bank site. He is part of the team looking at the transmission aspects of the ALMA data transfer links.
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Web page written by: Roshene McCool rmccool@jb.man.ac.uk
