James Tutt | Eberly College of Science

I specialize in the design, build, and launch of high resolution soft X-ray spectrometers on NASA suborbital rockets. These instruments act as technology development for the next generation flagship X-ray observatories. My background is in the use of silicon detectors for soft X-ray detection. I have been involved in the development of 3 rocket payloads (OGRESS, WRXR, and tREXS) and am currently working on the design of a 4th (OGRE). I have deployed to Summit Camp, Greenland (summer 2024) to help with the deployment and calibration of the Radio Neutrino Observatory (RNO-G). I also test supporting technology for use in space which currently involves vibration testing silicon carbide filter meshes to see if they would survive launch. In my free time I enjoy DIY, cycling, and I am a Padi certified Advanced Open Water Diver.

Current Missions, Instrument, and Grants

Development of blocking filters using high throughput SiC grids - APRA - PI.

Large Silicon Carbide Grids for X-Ray Microcalorimeter Blocking Filters - Phase 1 SBIR - Institutional PI.

OGRE - Suborbital Rocket - Co-I.

RNO-G - NSF.

AXIS - Probe Phase A.

Awards

1. Dean’s Climate and Diversity Award – Group Award – The Astronomy and Astrophysics Department Climate and Diversity Committee – Winner – 2024.

2. Dean's Climate and Diversity Award - Faculty Award - Nominated - 2024.

3. Eberly College of Science C. I. Noll Award for excellence in teaching - 2021.

4. Manufacturing and Sterilization for COVID-19 (MASC) MASCed Marvel Award - 2020.

5. Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Summer Fellowship - 2013.

6. STFC Studentship Enhancement Program (STEP) Award - 2012.

Recent Publications

For a complete list of publications, please see my Google Scholar page or the publications page of my website

1. Miles, D. M., et al., "The Rockets for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy Instrument Design", The Astrophysical Journal, 971(2), 171, 2024.

2. Tutt, J. H., et al., "A Rail-Mounted Pumping System Developed for Suborbital Rockets", Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, 13(2), 2024.

3. Agarwal, S., et al., "Instrument design and performance of the first seven stations of RNO-G", arXiv preprint, 2024.