06/2004 - current time. A research scientist (Space Sciences Center, Department of Physics and Astronomy, LAS, USC). I work on development of instrumentation for Extreme UltraViolet (EUV) observations, on solar data analyzing software for Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Solar and Heliospherics Observatory (SOHO): SDO/EVE/ESP, SOHO/CELIAS/SEM and SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and others. Developed a method for detecting high-energy Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) from a background portion of the EIT CCD image outside the solar disk image. The method allowed us to detect accelerated solar protons in a larger range of their incident energies (40-400 MeV), than available from the GOES measurements for extreme solar flare events of 2000-2003. The proton spectra showed quite similar profiles for different energies what may indicate on a common mechanism for SEP acceleration related to shock waves and CMEs.
03/2000 - 04/2004 . I worked as a Research Professor and Research Scientist at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) of NJIT. I was developing new systems, telescopes and instruments for solar Visible light and Infrared measurements.
My initial work at BBSO was developing a software (a control program, data acquisition and analysis program and Graphical User Interface program) and studying characteristics of a Correlation Tracker CT), which was used to improve image quality in the 26" Telescope focal plane through removing wave front tilts introduced by the Earth Atmosphere. The CT was tested with the 26" Telescope setup and showed substantial improvements of image contrast and stability in the focal plane (see: http://www.bbso.njit.edu/~leonid/CT/). I worked on developing an improved version of CT with substantially faster tip/tilt platform, and more powerful control unit for improved operation. Some improved programs were developed and used with a newest LINUX-based platforms. The CT is an important component of any solar Adaptive Optics (AO) System.
I was working on a High-Degree AO System for existing 26'' Vacuum Solar Telescope under the jont National Solar Observatory (NSO) - BBSO Project. This work had three main focuses, the development of an optical design for the AO System, the telescope and AO system alignment, testing all AO components for a real-time (close loop) image reconstruction.
I was also working as a Project Engineer on a New Solar Telescope (NST), - an off-axis 1.6 m largest in the World Solar Telescope with a High-Degree AO. It will replace the 65-cm vacuum telescope at BBSO. The NST will utilize the current and planned complement of BBSO instrumentation. This includes visible and IR fabry-Perot based polarimeters and real-time phase-diversity specle imaging system. AO system can correct images to the diffraction limit and will utilize the optical and dynamical range advantages of the NST unobscured pupil. In that project I was in charge of all optics (telescope and AO) and telescope mechanics, including active primary mirror, mirror cells and optical support structure. I supervised a group of three engineers - an optical, mechanical and electronics engineer.
One of the most important works on the NST, on the stage of optical design and when it will be ready for full operation in 2008 is its alignment issues. NST is an off-axis telescope with some narrower tolerances on position of optical elements than those for any astronomical on-axis telescope. Special systems to maintain the secondary mirror (SM) alignment should be developed. They will include detection of the SM de-centering, de-focussing, de-tilting and thermal issues. Together with members of my group I was working on developing these systems.
1996 - 2000. Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (CRAO). Position: Science Vice Director. I coordinated scientific plans and everyday work for three major Laboratories of the CRAO: Solar Physics, Experimental Astrophysics, High-Energy Laboratory as well as Optical and Mechanical Shops with a total staff in these Departments of about 110 scientists, engineers and workers. I was a PI from Crimean site of High-Degree Helioseismology Network - an International Project, which involves Mount Wilson Observatory and Crimean Astrophysical Observatory into helioseismology studying of the Sun (PI is a USC Prof. Ed Rhodes). A number of algorithms and methods were developed for improving image quality taken with Magneto-Optical Filter. I have organized and managed a working group for International (Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Germany) Project "SPECTRUM-UV" - a space telescope with 1.7 m diameter primary mirror. That group discussed scientific, optical and mechanical issues of the Project. I developed a system for maintaining alignment of the telescope after its launch.
1990-1996. CRAO. Senior Scientist. Worked on testing some AO components (sensors, actuators) for an experimental multi-segmented stellar telescope AST-1200. Developed an inductive sensor for high-precision phase compensation of the segments. The sensor could work with 0.01 um accuracy in a range of +- 1 mm.
1987-1990. CRAO. Research Scientist. Studied solar oscillations using original instruments based on photodiode arrays. Published a number of papers about intermediate-degree solar oscillation modes: their splitting, temporal and spatial structure, internal differential rotation of the Sun.
1975-1987. CRAO. Lead Engineer. Developed a few high-presicion solar photometers based on photodiode arrays. Developed two major modules for astronomical data acquisition and flow control for a space telescope "ASTRON". Developed computer-based systems for data acquisition and reduction on solar telescopes BST-1 and BST-2.
1970-1975. Kamenets-Podolsky (Ukraine). Engineer. Laboratory of computers. Plant "Electropribor". Worked on hardware improvements for some computers and hard disks. Developed a system interface for connecting hard disks to computers and for using hard disks as a remote data storage without a correspondent control unit.