Faculty

Juan Merlo
Associate Professor of Physics
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Juan M. Merlo-Ramírez has a PhD in optics from the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics in Puebla, Mexico. His research focuses on near-field microscopy, plasmonics, and more recently in topological phases of matter in classical systems. Juan is a first-generation college attendee; as such, he is interested in the dissemination of scientific knowledge by science books for kids.

BS, MS, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla; PhD, National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics
At Vassar since 2019

Contact

jmerloramirez@vassar.edu
845-437-5755
Sanders Physics
Box 103
Website

Research and Academic Interests

Near-field microscopy
Plasmonics
Topological phases of matter in classical systems
Science books for children

Departments and Programs

Physics and Astronomy

Courses

PHYS 200: Modern Physics
PHYS 202/203: Experimental Physics
PHYS 375: Microscopy Techniques
PHYS 240: Electromagnetism I
An intensive in Fundamentals of Micro- and Nano-Fabrication

In the Media

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Jenny Magnes, Professor of Physics, and Juan Merlo-Ramírez, Associate Professor of Physics, Publish New Book

Jenny Magnes, Professor of Physics, and Juan Merlo-Ramírez, Associate Professor of Physics, recently published a new book, Optical Interference and Dynamic Diffraction: Research methods for undergraduates. Their book introduces Dynamic Optical Diffraction (DOD), developed by Professor Magnes, and draws on both authors’ pedagogical experience to “fill in the elementary material often omitted from the literature on diffraction and Fourier transforms,” mathematical tools that help analyze signal frequencies.

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Science and Tech Bring Vassar and West Point Together

Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jenny Magnes kicked off her leadership of Vassar’s West Point Initiative with a visit by six members of the West Point faculty to explore how the two institutions can share their scientific equipment, including Vassar’s new quantum computer.

Photos

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A person with short dark hair, glasses, and a goatee smiles with arms crossed in front of a blurred, colorful stained-glass background.
Credit

Lucas Pollet

A person with short dark hair, glasses, and a goatee smiles with arms crossed in front of a blurred, colorful stained-glass background.
Credit

Lucas Pollet