Course Instructors
Salvatore Cusumano, Center for Directed Energy, AFIT. B.S.E.E. Air Force Academy 1971, M.S.E.E. AFIT 1977, Ph.D.
University of Illinois 1988. Dr. Cusumano's research experience includes resonator alignment, intra-cavity adaptive
optics, phased arrays, telescope control, pointing and tracking, adaptive optics, and component technology for
directed energy. He holds two patents (jointly) for his work in phased arrays.
Michael A. Marciniak, Engineer Physics Department, AFIT, received the BS degree in Mathematics-Physics from
St. Joseph's College in 1981, the BSEE degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983, and the MSEE
(electro-optics specialization) and PhD (semiconductor physics specialization) degrees from the Air Forced
Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1987 and 1995, respectively. He is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel with
22 years of service and currently Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at AFIT with
research interests in various aspects of light-matter interaction, including polarimetric scatterometry and
thermal radiation of nanostructured materials, optical signatures, and high-energy-laser damage assessment.
Maj. Timothy Russell, Assistant Professor of Physics (2005-2008), Department of Engineering Physics, AFIT
Appointment Date: 2005 (AFIT/ENP); BA, United States Air Force Academy, 1995; MS, University of Arizona, 1996;
PhD, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2001. Maj Russell's research interests include nonlinear optics and
fiber laser devices. Specific areas include coherent phasing of fiber amplifiers, phase conjugation, and
stimulated Brillouin scattering. He has previously conducted and managed research into munition guidance
using laser radar and high-power, solid-state laser systems. Maj Russell is a member of the Optical Society of
America and Tau Beta Pi.
Delivery Approach
This course is offered in distance learning mode which is primarily asynchronous. The lecture content
is prerecorded and can be viewed at any time at the convenience of the student. Lectures are viewed
in a web browser and can be downloaded from - or streamed over - the internet. (Both methods are
available in case a student has problems with one or the other.) More detailed access instructions
will be provided upon registration.
The asynchronous lectures are supplemented by synchronous sessions using a webinar service.
These sessions are designed to give instructors live "face time" with students, for Q-and-A, and for
reinforcing lesson concepts. These meetings also facilitate student-to-student interaction, which is often
a valuable tool in the graduate learning setting. To join these web conferences, students will need an
internet-connected computer and a telephone. These sessions meet for an hour or so; attendance is not mandatory
but highly encouraged. Specific meeting times are determined after students have been polled at the outset
of the course.
Aside from the weekly webinar sessions of 60 - 90 minutes per week, students can set their own schedule
for the course. Nevertheless, students must complete the course within eight weeks.
System requirements include high-speed internet access and a telephone. AFIT uses Microsoft Live Meeting
as its webinar service provider. To join the meeting, ideally a small plug-in is installed on the student's
computer. This is a one-time installation. If this cannot be accomplished, such as for lack of privileges
on the employer's network, the student will still be able to join.
Note: This distance learning course is now available on your iPad or iPhone.
