John Fredrich Fredrich Asmus

Background

Asmus, John Fredrich was born on January 20, 1937 in Pasadena, California, United States. Son of William F. and Eleanor E. (Kocher) Asmus.

Education

Having earned his PhD from the California Institute of Technology, he initially applied his knowledge of high-energy excimer lasers in private sector organizations such as General Atomic, where he contributed to the ORION nuclear spaceship program.

Career

Head optical systems department, Aero Geo Astro Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia, 1960-1964; head laser department, Gulf General Atomic, San Diego, California, 1964-1969; research staff, Institute Defense Analyses, Arlington, Virginia, 1969-1971; vice president, board member, Science Applications, Inc., Albuquerque, 1971-1973; lecturer, University of California, Davis, 1974; research physicist, co-founder art and science center, University of California, San Diego, since 1973. Co-director JASON national laser program study Office of President of the United States, 1971;consultant in field. Member of advisory group on electron devices Smithsonian Associations.

Featured cable, Public Broadcasting Service television documentaries, since 1975.

Achievements

• Patentee metallic vapor laser, embedded pinch laser, plasma pinch annealing system, chemical decontamination with ultraviolet. Introduced laser, ultrasonic and computer image enhancement techniques to art conservation, introduced laser cleaning to the field of paleontology, and revealed new features of da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Restored Cremona Cathedral, California State Capital, White House mural, Washington, Arches National Pk.
  
  Pictograph, Venice Ducal Palace Sculpture, office of Galileoin U. Padova using laser radiation. Development of laser-robotic technique for the decontamination of the Hanford nuclear weapons facility of the unites states department of Energy. Laser system for branding bowhead whales at a distance.

Membership

Member International Institute Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Institute Conservation, National Trust Historic Preservation, Venice Society, Bay Area Art Conservation Guild, Society Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Lasers for the Conservation of Artworks (science board member), Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi.

Connections

Married Barbara Ann Flaherty, February 23, 1963. Children— Joanne M., Rosemary H.

Father:

William F. Asmus

Mother:

Eleanor E. (Kocher) Asmus

Spouse:

Barbara Ann Flaherty