Faculty

Randall McEntaffer

Email: rlm90@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-6091
Office Address: 505 Davey Laboratory
Title: Professor
Unit: Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Webpage: https://science.psu.edu/astro/people/rlm90

Research Interests:

• X-ray instrumentation
• Suborbital rockets
• Nanofabrication

About:

I specialize in the design, fabrication, testing, and implementation of diffraction gratings for high throughput, high resolving power astrophysical observations. My research topics include the fabrication of UV/X-ray gratings using nanofabrication methodologies, alignment and testing of aligned grating modules, and the incorporation of grating modules into space-based spectrometers. My astronomical interests include studying diffuse X-ray objects such as supernova remnants and their interactions with their environments. Missions I’m currently working on will study a broad range of science goals ranging from the cycle of hot baryons in the Universe to the radiation environment around extrasolar planets. In my free time I like to hang out with my wife and four children. In my free free time I enjoy fishing, gaming, and ultimate frisbee.