Physics and Astronomy
Casey Minna Schwarz
Associate Professor of Physics, Department Chair
Casey M. Schwarz completed her PhD in physics at UCF in 2012 under the supervision of Prof. Leonid Chernyak studying the radiation effects of semiconductor transport properties using electron beam induced current and Cathodoluminescence characterization techniques. Schwarz went on to teach at Valencia College in 2012 as an Adjunct Professor of Physics. Schwarz then joined the Kuebler research group in spring of 2013 a post-doctoral researcher where she investigated the processing and properties of novel materials for future optical device applications. Schwarz joined the faculty at Ursinus College in the fall of 2016. Her research interests include 3D direct laser writing of multi-component chalcogenide materials, development and design of optical devices, and optical characterization. The development of optics that function at wavelengths in the infrared (IR) can be used for applications in diagnostic medicine, environmental sensing, space exploration, and search-and-rescue tools. She is also very active in her outreach activities which include mentoring high school and undergraduate students and participating in promotion of women in science events and organizations.
Student opportunities for research currently include hands-on experimental work with infrared glasses, characterization, analysis, and simulations at UC with laser exposure and nano device creation at UCF (Summer Fellows/REU). Link There are also opportunities for physics education research based on creative materials science and physics outreach/summer programs aimed at K-12 students. Link
Department
Degrees
- Ph.D., Physics - University of Central Florida
- B.A., Physics - University of Central Florida
Teaching
Physics 111Q: General Physics I
Physics 111L: General Physics Lab
Physics 121Q: Spacetime and Quantum Physics
Physics 121L: Spacetime Lab
Physics 122Q: Electricity, Magnetism, and Waves
Physics 122L: General Physics II Lab
Physics 207W: Modern Physics
Physics 306: Materials Science
Physics 450W: Seminar
Research Interests
Materials Science - Synthesis and Characterization
Laser Fabrication & Lithography
Nonlinear Optical Materials
Materials Science Outreach
Recent Work
*denotes Ursinus students
C. Schwarz, S. Kuebler, C. Rivero-Baleine, B. Triplett, M. Kang, Q. Altemose*, C. Blanco, K. A. Richardson, Q. Due, S. Deckoff-Jones, J. Hue, Y. Zhang, Y. Pane, C. Ríos, “Structurally and morphologically engineered chalcogenide materials for optical and photonic devices,” Journal of Optical Microsystems (JOM), accepted and currently in pre-production (Due out early 2021).
I. Mingareev, M. Kang, M. Truman*, J. Qin, G. Yin, J. Hu, C. Schwarz, I. Murray, K. Richardson, and M. Richardson, “Spatial tailoring of the refractive index in infrared glass-ceramic films enabled by direct laser writing,” Opt. Laser Technol., 126, 106058, (2020). Link
C. Schwarz & J. Choi, “Advances in femtosecond laser processing of optical material for device applications,” International Journal of Applied Glass Science, Special Women in Glass Issue, 1-28, (2020). Link
Kathleen A. Richardson, Myungkoo Kang, Laura Sisken, Anupama Yadav, Spencer Novak, Antoine Lepicard, Isabelle Martin, Hugues Francois-Saint-Cyr, Casey M. Schwarz, Theresa S. Mayer, Clara Rivero-Baleine, Anthony J. Yee, Ilya Mingareev, “Advances in infrared gradient refractive index (GRIN) materials: a Review,” Optical Engineering, 59(11), 112602 (2020).Link
C. Schwarz, M. Kang, Q. Altemose*, K. Raichle*, B. Schnable*, C. Grabill, J. Rice, C. Pantano, I. Mingareev, C. Rivero-Baleine, K. Richardson, S. Kuebler, “Fabrication and properties of ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3 glass-ceramic containing Bi2ZnB2O7 nanocrystals.” J. Alloys Comp. 153173 (2019). Link
Q. Altemose*, K. Raichle*, B. Schnable*, C. Schwarz, M. Kang, C. Pantano, K. Richardson, C. Rivero-Baleine “In situ XRD studies of crystallization behavior in ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3 glass as a route to functional optical devices.” MRS Advances, 3, 11, 563-567 (2018). Link
C,. M. Schwarz, C. N. Grabill, G. D. Richardson, S. Labh, B. Gleason, C. Rivero-Baleine, K. Richardson, A. Pogrebnyakov, T. S. Mayer, S. M. Kuebler, “Processing and fabrication of microstructures by multiphoton lithography in germanium-doped arsenic selenide.” Opt. Mater. Express, 8(7), 1902-1915 (2018). Link