Expertise
Millimeter and terahertz observations of molecular clouds, protostellar and protoplanetary objects, Millimeter and terahertz instrumentation for astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science remote sensing instrumentation, Millimeter and terahertz device development, Microfabrication techniques for terahertz circuits, Full-wave electromagnetic simulation, Undergraduate research in astronomical instrumentation and terahertz electronics.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Astronomy and Electrical Engineering, University of Arizona
- Master of Arts (M.A.), Astronomy, Cornell University
Cum Laude
Biosketch
Christopher Groppi is an experimental astrophysicist interested in the process of star and planet formation and the evolution and structure of the interstellar medium. His current research focuses on the design and construction of state of the art terahertz receiver systems optimized to detect the light emitted by molecules and atoms in molecular clouds, the birthplace of stars. Development of multi-pixel imaging arrays of terahertz spectrometers is a key technology for the advancement of astrophysics in this wavelength regime. Professor Groppi is participating in several research efforts to develop advanced terahertz imaging arrays for ground based and suborbital telescopes. He also applies terahertz technology developed for astrophysics to a wide range of other applications including Earth and planetary science remote sensing, hazardous materials detection and applied physics.
Selected Awards and Honors
- NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) Fellow