David Rosner

Professor S. David Rosner is affiliated with the University of Western Ontario's Department of Physics and Astronomy, where he leads a research group focused on Atomic/Molecular Physics and Laboratory Astrophysics. His work involves high-precision measurements of atomic and molecular properties critical to astrophysical studies, including lifetimes, branching ratios, and hyperfine structures. Collaborators include Prof. Richard A. Holt and Dr. Alan Madej of the National Research Council. The group also develops photonics technologies for wavelength measurement using interferometry, advancing applications in optical communication.

Research Interests: Rosner’s expertise spans atomic spectroscopy, laser techniques, and relativistic quantum mechanics. His group uses ion beam methods to study astrophysically relevant species like Nd II, Sm II, and Pr II, contributing to accurate abundance calculations in celestial objects. The photonics arm focuses on broadband wavemeters combining Fabry-Pérot and Michelson interferometers for precise laser frequency stabilization.

Advising & Labs: Supervises PhD student Ruohong Lee. Lab facilities include Room 4 (Physics and Astronomy Building) for spectroscopy and interferometry setups. Techniques mastered by the group include laser-induced fluorescence, ion beam acceleration, and automated data acquisition.

Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles since 1993, emphasizing precision measurements in atomic systems and photonics. Recent work (2007) includes branching ratio studies in Nd II and oscillator strength analyses in Pr II.