Verónica González Fernández

Universidad de Valladolid

Nominator: Verónica González Fernández

Nomination Questions:
In 250 words or less, describe why you first became interested in optics/photonics/physics. -
When I was child I was always wondering how things work. My parents remembered me as a girl
who was not easily convinced if I cannot figure out their explanations. I think this root become a
passionate interest that everything that was all around, and I decided to pursue a BS in Physics. In
the last years I pursued all subjects related to optics, but they were approached from a more
theoretical point of view. There was one, Non-Linear Optics that was especially clarifying to me:
for the first time ever, I was confronted with a real experiment: a high-power Nd:YAG, generating
the second and third harmonic of the fundamental emission. This process involves an incredible
range of optic elements: non-linear crystals, polarizers, mirrors and lenses, etc. Since this
moment, it was clear to me that I wanted to learn more about this field and professionalize myself
and pursue a career related to optics.
I studied a master entitled “Optical and imaging technologies”, and did my master thesis at the
Optics and Biophotonics Laboratory in CSIC, Madrid, led by Susana Marcos. There, I worked with
a super-continuum femtosecond laser for the study of optical aberrations applied to the design of
intraocular lenses. This experience show me the incredible range of amazing where optics and
photonics is present.
After that amazing experience I was absolutely sure that I wanted to follow this path. Nevertheless,
I decided to change topic, and I started a thesis about high-resolution laser spectroscopy in
hydrogen plasmas.
In 250 words or less, how does optics play a role in your current research? - Optics is the key
stone in my research career. I am an experimental researcher specialized in the development of
optical tools for plasma diagnosis.
My thesis research involved a vast optical system, which started with a high-power nanosecond
Nd:YAG laser, that provided the second and third harmonic of the fundamental emission; followed
by a OPO-OPA and sum frequency generation system that produced tunable 243 nm radiation in
single longitudinal mode operation. The optical path was completed dividing the radiation in two
counter-propagating beams, and polarizing each one of them with opposite circular polarizations,
to finally both be focused and overlapped in 100 µm focus. This system allowed me working with a
wide variety of elements: non-linear crystals, lenses, mirrors, polarizers, /4 and /2 retarders;
among photomultipliers, etalons, diodes, and other accessories systems to control the experiment.

This complex system was crucial to achieve the necessary spatial resolution, which would allow us
to resolve locally the electric field in the cathode zone of a hydrogen plasma, which was at most 2
mm long.
At the moment, I'm doing a postdoc in which I develop different tools for the diagnosis of cold
magnetized plasmas. I started working on the development of a system of spectro-tomography
that allows to determine locally the density and the electronic. At this time, I am developing
another optical diagnosis consisting of measuring the Lyman- emission stimulated from a beam of
H metastable atoms when they interact with the electric field present in the plasma.

In 250 words or less, identify the impact receiving this grant would have on your career. -
Building a consistent postdoctoral stage is crucial in building a solid scientific career, and in the
case of women, this step can be even more critical. Although I still have almost a year left on my
current contract, I am beginning to think about what my next step will be. I would like to be able to
go to a cutting-edge laboratory, which is a boost to my position before being able to opt for
something more stable. Attending FiO would undoubtedly represent a unique opportunity to get to
know first-hand the research being carried out and allow me to establish fruitful contacts.
On the other hand, the possibility of receiving such an award always represents a strategic
support for the career of a young researcher. But also, in my case, I develop my research in a so
much masculinized field, where the presence of women is always scarce. Therefore, the
opportunity to win an award like this would be a great opportunity for me, and also to contribute to
raising awareness of women in science, a task a task where OSA has been involved for years and
where has spent many years and efforts.
 Verónica González Fernández
Laboratoire de Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires (PIIM, UMR 7345);
Marseille (France)
Postdoctoral researcher CNRS
Tel: +33 622 29 02 70/+34 696 39 46 90
Birth place and date: Valladolid (Spain), 07-09-1990
Nationality:Spanish
Email: veronica.GONZALEZ-FERNANDEZ@univ-amu.fr

orcid.org/0000-0001-8153-2903
scholar.google.es/citations?user=eSHkCEUAAAAJ&hl=es
Education
2014-2018 PhD in Physics. Department of Theoretical Physics, Atomic and Optics.
University of Valladolid (Spain).
2013-2014 Master in Optical and Imaging Techniques
Complutense University (Madrid)
2008-2013 BS in Physics
University of Valladolid (Spain)
Research Experience
Depuis 12/2018 Laboratoire PIIM (UMR 7345).Aix-Marseille Université (Marseille, France)
Postdoctoral Researcher. Optical plasma diagnostic. Contrat : UMR7345-ERIROS-006.
Responsable: Alexandre ESCARGUEL, Laurence KOVAVIC
09-12/2018 LP3 Laboratory. Aix-Marseille Université (Marseille, France)
Laser Process Engineer.
2014-2018 Plasma Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory. University of Valladolid (Spain)
PhD Thesis: High precision two photon spectroscopy in hydrogen isotopes for the
measurement of the electric field in plasmas generated in hollow cathode discharges.
Supervisors: M.I. de la Rosa, C. Pérez, A. Steiger
Secondments/Stays
Terahertz Radiometry Department, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin
(Germany). October-November 2016 and September-November 2017.
Supervisor: Andreas Steiger.
2013-2014 Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab. Int. of Optics. (CSIC). Madrid (Spain)
Master Thesis: Simulation of multifocal refractive corrections patterns using a spatial phase
modulator liquid crystal in an environment of polychromatic adaptive optics for applications
in Visual Optics
Supervisor: Susana Marcos and María Viñas (OSA Ambassador 2019)

Professional Skills

 Laser Spectroscopy  Electric field in plasmas

 Optical systems developing  Vacuum systems/ Gas inlet and
 Non-linear optics outlet
 Tunable laser radiation  Labview and Matlab
 Low pressure plasmas
Fellowships and Awards
2017 Visiting Research Grant
Spanish Ministry of Economy (Fellowship Reference: EEBB-I-17-12659)
2016 Visiting Research Grant
Spanish Ministry of Economy (Fellowship Reference: EEBB-I-16-10654)
2015 Best Poster Award:XXXV Meeting of the Royal Spanish Physics Society
Royal Spanish Physical Society.
2015 Student Leadership Conference Travel Grant- San Jose (USA).

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 Awarded by the Optical Society of America
2014 PhD Fellowship. Grant BES-2013-063248
Four years grant, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy
2013 Award Master's degree studies of Faculty of Optics and Optometry
Complutense University (Madrid)

Featured research contributions

Complete list on Annex to CV: Scientific contributions
Publications
1. Influence of the cathode material in the cathode fall characteristics of a hydrogen hollo cathode glow-
discharge” V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M.I. de la Rosa
Journal of Applied Physics 24 033302 (2018)
2. Measured cathode fall characteristics depending on the diameter of a hydrogen hollow cathode
discharge V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, A. Steiger, C. Pérez, M.I. de la Rosa
Plasma Sources Science and Technology 26 105004 (2017)
3. Experimental study of the electric field in a hollow cathode discharge in hydrogen: influence of
sputtering V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M.I. de la Rosa
Journal of Instrumentation 12(11) C11029 (2017)

Projects
Call for Projects 2019 from the Institute of Fusion and Instrumentation Sciences in Nuclear
Environments. 2019-2020
Funded by: Institute of Fusion and Instrumentation Sciences in Nuclear Environments (France).
P.I.: Laurence Chérigier-Kovacic
Development of an optical diagnosis for measuring the electric field in a magnetized plasma. 2019-
2020
Funded by: Région Sud Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur (Francia). P.I.: Laurence Chérigier-Kovacic
Spectroscopie pour les plasmas de bord d’un Tokamak. 2018-2019
Funded by: EUROFusion. P.I.: Alexandre Escarguel
High precision two photon spectroscopy in hydrogen isotopes for the measurement of the electric
field in plasmas generated in hollow cathode discharges. 2012-2015.
Funded by the Spanish ministry of Economy (Project ENE2012-35902). P. I.: M.I. de la Rosa
Teaching Experience
University of Aix-Marseille. Academic year: 2019-2020.
 Subject “Waves”. BS in Physics - Portail 2 Marie Curie. 34 hours.
 Subject “Basics of physics: optics and electricity”. BS in Physics - PES 3 Pasteur. 38 hours.
 Subject “Wave optics”. BS in Physics. 32 hours.
 Subject “Physique Newtonienne” Parcours des Ecoles d'Ingénieurs Polytech (PeiP). 18 hours.
 Subject “Mécanique” Parcours des Ecoles d'Ingénieurs Polytech (PeiP). 33 hours.
 Subject “Physical Optics”. BS in Physics – Parcours Physique-Chimie. 12 hours.
 Subject “Physical Optics”. BS combined in Math-Physics-Chemistry-Informatics. 12 hours.
University of Valladolid. Academic years 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.
 Subject: “Computing in Physics”. Master in Physics. Academic year 2019/20. 15 hours. Call for Guest
Professors to teach Master's Degrees.
 Subject “Geometric Optics”. BS in Optics and Optometry. Academic year 2015/16 y 2017/18. 80
hours.
 Subject “Physical Optics”. BS in Optics and Optometry. Academic year 2015/16 y 2017/18. 40 hours.
 Subject “Fundamentals of Fields and Waves”. BS in Physics. Academic year 2016/17. 20 hours.
Mentoring
 “Measurement of the electric field by probes in a magnetized plasma column”. Master stage 2019.
University of Aix-Marseille (France)
 “Realization of a spectrometer by transmission” University Institute of Technology. Master stage
2019. University of Aix-Marseille (France)
 “Study of the electric field strength fall in plasmas generated in hollow cathode discharges” Degree
Thesis 2017. University of Valladolid (Spain)

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  “Multiphoton spectroscopy for plasma diagnostics” Degree Thesis 2016. University of Valladolid
(Spain)

Others
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (B1 level), English (B2 level), French (B1 level), Spanish (native)
Membership: Spanish Optical Society (SEDOPTICA), Optical Society of America, European Physical Society.
-Board committee member in Área Joven SEDOPTICA (young researchers section).
-Co-founder and vice-president of the Comitte “Women in Optics and Photonics” of the Spanish Optical
Society.
Outreach activities and project mananaging: Board member of Physics League (OSA-EPS Student
Chapter). Numerous workshops and shows for schools, high schools and general public in Valladolid and
Castilla y Léon area. Excellence Prize in the Youth Education Outreach category, awarded by OSA in 2017
and Best European Outreach Activity awarded by EPS in 2015, among others. Economical management of
different educational projects: “Movie Physics: Pirates, Spies and Other Worlds” (Outreach minigrant
awarded by the American Physical Society), among other projects awarded by OSA and EPS. More details in
the Annex.

References
 Prof. Mª.Inmaculada de la Rosa. University of Valladolid (Spain). delarosa@opt.uva.es
 Prof. Alexandre Escarguel. Aix-Marseille Université (France) alexandre.escarguel@univ-amu.fr
 Prof. Laurence Kovacic. Aix-Marseille Université (France) laurence.kovacic@univ-amu.fr
 Dr. Maria Viñas Peña : Institute of Optics, CSIC (Spain): maria.vinas@io.cfmac.csic.es

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Publications
Peer reviewed publications
1. “Influence of the cathode material in the cathode fall characteristics of a hydrogen hollo cathode glow-
discharge” V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Journal of Applied Phyics
124(3), 033302 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5040803

1. "Experimental study of the electric field in a hollow cathode discharge in hydrogen: influence of sputtering"
V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Journal of Instrumentation 12(11)
C11029 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/12/11/C11029

2. “Measured cathode fall characteristics depending on the diameter of a hydrogen hollow cathode discharge”
V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, K. Grützmacher, A. Steiger, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Plasma Sources Science
and Technology 26 105004 2017
DOI: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6595/aa88e5

3. “Testing vision with angular and radial multifocal designs using Adaptive Optics” M. Vinas, C. Dorronsoro,
V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, D. Cortes, A. Radhakrishnan, S. Marcos. Vision Research 136 85-96 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2016.04.011

4. “Testing vision with angular and radial and angularly segmented multifocal patterns using Adaptive
Optics” M. Vinas, C. Dorronsoro, V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, D. Cortes, A. Radhakrishnan, S. Marcos.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2016.

Proceedings
1. “Experimental study of the influence of the cathode in the characteristics of the cathode region”
V.González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Journal of Physics Conference
Papers 1289 012015 2019

2. “Optogalvanic spectroscopy applied to the study of hollow cathode discharges devices” V.González-
Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Journal of Physics Conference
Papers 810 012015 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/810/1/012015

3. “Optogalvanic spectroscopy measurements of the electric field strength in a hydrogen glow discharge.”
V. González-Fernández, L. M. Fuentes, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa OSA Publishing
Conference Papers 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/FIO.2015.JW2A.82

Divulgative Publications
2. “Nonlinear crystals: are they magic?” V. González-Fernández, E. Vasallo, G. Pérez-Callejo,
K. Grützmacher, L .M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Óptica Pura y Aplicada 48(2) 135-139 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7149/OPA.48.2.135

3. “How to control the laser emission in single longitudinal mode” V. González-Fernández, G. Pérez-Callejo,
E. Vasallo, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa Óptica Pura y Aplicada 48(2)
141-144 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7149/OPA.48.2.135

Editorial
1. “I Workshop Mujer, Óptica y Fotónica”. M. Vinas Pena, V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, C. Benedi-Garcia. Óptica
Pura y Aplicada 52(3) i-iv 2019
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7149/OPA.52.3.i

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Conferences
Conference presentations
1. Rencontres Scientifiques Plasmas Froids et Lasers. Toulousse (Francia) Noviembre 2019
 “Two different techniques to obtain reliable electric field measurements in plasmas” V. Gonzalez-
Fernandez, L. Chérigier-Kovacic, A. Escarguel, K. Grützmacher, M. I. de la Rosa (Accepted-ORAL)

2. 13th Frontiers in Low-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics. Bad Honnef (Allemagne) May 2019
 “Two-photon spectroscopy applied to study of the cathode fall characteristics in a hollow cathode
glow discharge operated in hydrogen and deuterium” V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher,
C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa (ORAL)

 “Experimental study of a cold plasma column by spectro-tomography”. V. González-Fernández, A.

Escarguel, Y. Camenen, A. Poyé, R. Baude, P. David (POSTER)

3. XII RNO (Optical National Meeting). Castellón (Spain) July 2018

 “Influence of sputtering in the behaviour of a glow-discharge operated in hydrogen”. V. González-
Fernández, K. Grützmacher, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa (ORAL)
 “Stereoptics: a 3D interactive adventure” V. González-Fernández, F. Hevia, L. Sánchez-Tejerina,
J. Carbajo, E. Vasallo, M. Vara, V. Villa, D. Mateos, (ORAL)

4. 24th International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes.Dublin (Ireland) June 2018

 “Study of the influence of the cathode material in the behaviour of a hollow-cathode glow-discharge
in hydrogen”. V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa
(ORAL)

5. 18th Laser Aided Plasma Diagnostics (LAPD18). Prague (Czech Republic) September 2017
 “Experimental study of the electric field in a hollow cathode discharge in hydrogen” V. González-
Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa (ORAL)

6. XXXVI Meeting of the Royal Spanish Physics Society. Santiago de Compostela (Spain) July 2017
 Contribution “Influencia del diámetro de cátodo en la caída del campo eléctrico en descargas de
cátodo hueco en hidrógeno” V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I.
de la Rosa (ORAL)
 “Scary Physics: la Física detrás del terror” V. González-Fernández, et al. (ORAL)

7. International Conference on Optics, Photonics and their Applications. Bordeaux (France) December of
2016
 “Pulse tuneable single longitudinal mode laser in UV region tailor-made for high-resolution plasma
spectroscopy” V.González-Fernández, K.Grützmacher, L.M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa
(ORAL)

8. 23rd International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes. Toruń (Poland) June 2016
 “Optogalvanic spectroscopy measurements of the electric field strength in a hydrogen glow
discharge”. V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa
(ORAL)

9. VIII Jornadas de Jóvenes Investigadores en Física Atómica y Molecular. Valladolid (Spain) February 2016
 “Medida del campo eléctrico en una descarga de cátodo hueco mediante espectroscopia
optogalvánica”. V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L.M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la Rosa
(ORAL) Member of the Organising Committee

10. Frontiers in Optics/Laser Science. San Jose (California, USA) October 2015
 “Optogalvanic spectroscopy measurements of the electric field strength in a hydrogen glow
discharge”. V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M.I. de la Rosa
(POSTER)

11. XI RNO (Optical National Meeting). Salamanca (Spain) September 2015

 “Optimizing an experimental setup for measuring the electric field in a hollow cathode discharge by
laser spectroscopy”. V. González-Fernández, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes, C. Pérez, M. I. de la
Rosa (POSTER)

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  “Light from other worlds” V. González-Fernández, D. Mateos, E. Vasallo, C. Velasco-Merino, M. A.
Burgos, A. García, G. Pérez-Callejo, D. Revilla, A. Gloriani, D. González, M.T. Belmonte, B.G. del Río
(ORAL)

12. XXXV Meeting of the Royal Spanish Physics Society. Gijón (Spain) July 2015
 “Study of a hollow cathode discharge glow discharge system for use in high-resolution laser
spectroscopy” V. González-Fernández, G. Pérez-Callejo, E. Vasallo, K. Grützmacher, L. M. Fuentes,
C. Pérez, M.I. de la Rosa (POSTER)
 “Game of Physics: making Physics closer to high school student” V. González-Fernández, B.G. del
Río, L. Ares, J.L. Martín, J. Cítores, L. Sánchez-Tejerina, J. Hernández, C. González, S. Martín, S.
García, A. Álvarez, D. Mateos (ORAL)

Conference contributions
1. 25ème Congrès Général de la Société Française de Physique. Nantes (France). July 2019
 “Développement d’un diagnostic de spectro-tomographie pour les plasmas” V. Gonzalez-Fernandez,
A. Escarguel, Y. Camenen, A. Poyé, R. Baude, P. David. (POSTER)
2. American Physical Society 2016. Baltimore (Maryland, USA) June 2016.
 “Movie Physics: Pirates, Spies and Other Worlds” B. G. del Río, V. González-Fernández, et al. (ORAL)
3. RICTA. Elche (Spain) June 2015
 “A Fun Way to Approach Atmospheric Studies to Kids and the Importance of their Knowledge”
D. Mateos, M. A. Burgos, C. Velasco-Merino, A. Gloriani, P. López, P. Martín, J. Carbajo,
V. M. González, A. Granja, M. Vara, V. Villa, V. González-Fernández, B. G. del Río (POSTER)
4. ARVO. Denver (USA). May 2015
 “Testing vision with radial and angularly segmented multifocal patterns using adaptive optics”
M. Vinas, C. Dorronsoro. V. Gonzalez-Fernandez, D. Cortes, S. Marcos (ORAL)

Invited talks
1. Title: “Round table: A personal view of Optics & Photonics”. I Workshop Women, Optics and Photonics.
Institute of Optics, CSIC, Madrid (Spain). 6th September de 2019
2. Title: “Approaching Physics to the school”. Learning to teach Science in a fun way. Institute of Optics,
CSIC, Madrid, (Spain) .23th November 2018
3. Title: “Physics in the classroom”. II Regional Conference for Science Teachers. Valladolid (Spain). 26th
April 2016.
4. Title: “Physics in the classroom” I Conference for the Exchange of Experiences in Bilingual Education.
Valladolid (Spain), 5th Mai 2016

Invited seminars
1. “Optical tools for plasma diagnosis”. Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Spain. 2nd May de 2019
2. “Non-Linear Optics and Ultra-short Pulses”. Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Spain. 2nd May
2018
3. “Experimental study of the electric field in a hollow cathode glow-discharge in hydrogen: influence of the
sputtering”. PIIM Laboratory, Saint Jérôme Faculté. Marseille, France. April 6, 2018
4. “Non-Linear Optics”. Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Spain. May 10, 2017
5. “Optogalvanic spectroscopy applied to study hollow cathode discharges”. Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin, Germany. November 17, 2016.

Organisation of conferences
1. "I Workshop Women, Optics and Photonics" September 6, 2019. Institute of Optics, CSIC, Madrid.
2. “III Young National Meeting of Optics ". July 2, 2018. Castellón de la Plana (Spain).
3. “III Meeting of Young Researchers in Optics". July 19, 2016. Ourense (Spain)
4. “VIII Conference of Young Researchers in Atomic and Molecular Physics”. February 24-26, 2016. Valladolid
(Spain)

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Teaching Evaluations:
1. Accreditation: Assistant Professor Doctor.
Issued by: Agency for the Evaluation of Quality and Accreditation, Spanish Ministry of Science, Reserch
and Universities. Date: 15/03/2019
2. Accreditation: Maître des Conférences (MCF). (University Professor Equivalent).
Issued by: Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, France. (Ministry
of Higher Education, Research and Universities, France)

Teaching Innovation Awards:

1. First Prize, category "Physics in Society" for the show "Superpowers...or Physics?" of Science in Action
XVI. 2015
2. Honorable Mention, category "Physics Demonstrations" for the work "Game of Physics" of Science in
Action XVI. 2015
3. Ágora Award, in the category "Physics Demonstrations" for the show "The Sound of Physics" of Science
in Action XVIII. 2018.
Co-participants in the award: Physics League Association
4. OSA Excellence Prize 2017. Award to the best dissemination in optics in the world. Year 2017.
Co-participants in the award: Physics League Association.
5. Best European Outreach Activity, for the show "Superpowers... or Physics?", awraded by European
Physical Society (EPS). 2015
Co-participants in the award: Physics League Association
6. Finalist in the category "Physics Demonstrations" for the workshop "A World of Pirates" of Science in
Action XVII. 2017
Award Co-Participants: Physics League Association

Outreach projects management

1. Project title: Physics League's Activities 2018 (EPSYM2017A40). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/02/2018-31/12/2018 (12 months)
Management: Diego Gútiez Bravo, Luis Fernando Hevia de los Mozos, Verónica González Fernández
2. Project Title: Centennial Chapter/Section Management Grant 2018. Optical Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 09/02/2018-31/12/2018 (11 months)
Management: Pablo Enrique Guillem, Luis Fernando Hevia de los Mozos, Verónica González Fernández
3. Project title: Physics League's Activities 2017 (EPSYM2017A43). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 27/01/2017-31/12/2017 (11 months)
Management: Diego Gútiez Bravo, Luis Fernando Hevia de los Mozos, Verónica González Fernández
4. Project title: 2017 Special Program Grant. Optical Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 05/06/2017-31/12/2017 (7 months)
Management: Verónica González Fernández, Luis Fernando Hevia de los Mozos
5. Project title: DO RE MI FA SOL LA física (EPSYM2016B07). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/07/2016-31/12/2016 (6 months)
Management: Luis Sánchez-Tejerina San José, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
6. Project title: A pirates' world/Un mundo de piratas (EPSYM2016A22). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/07/2016-31/12/2016 (6 months)
Management: Luis Sánchez-Tejerina San José, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
7. Project title: The Power of Physics-Star Wars Edition (EPSYM2016A23). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/01/2016-31/12/2016 (12 months)
Management: Luis Sánchez-Tejerina San José, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
8. Project title: Stereoptics: Optics for a Science Adventure (3D-OSA). Optical Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 01/09/2016-31/12/2016 (4 months)
Management: Enrique Vasallo Fernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
9. Project Title: Section Managment Grant. Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 30/06/2016-31/12/2016 (6 months)
Management: Enrique Vasallo Fernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
10. Project title: Movie Physics: Pirates, Spies and Other Worlds. American Physical Society (APS)
Project duration: 01/05/2015-31/05/2016 (16 months)
Management: Beatriz González del Río, David Mateos Villán, Verónica González Fernández
11. Project title: Light from other worlds. Optical Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 30/06/2015-31/12/2015 (16 months)

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 Management: Verónica González Fernández, Beatriz González del Río
12. Project title: Photons Adventure. Optical Society of America (OSA)
Project duration: 30/06/2015-31/12/2015 (6 months)
Management: Verónica González Fernández, Beatriz González del Río
13. Project title: Game of Physics (EPSYM2015G25). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/01/2015-31/12/2015 (12 months)
Management: José Hernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
14. Project title: Light from Other Worlds (EPSYMIYL2015-15). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/01/2015-31/12/2015 (12 months)
Management: José Hernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
15. Project title: The Power of Physics (EPSYM2015G24). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/01/2015-31/12/2015 (12 months)
Management: José Hernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
16. Project Title: The Physics of Fear-Scary Physics (EPSYM2015H10). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/08/2015-31/12/2015 (5 months)
Management: José Hernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández
17. Project Title: Sleights of Mind (EPSYM2015H11). European Physical Society (EPS)
Project duration: 01/09/2015-30/09/2015 (1 month)
Management: José Hernández, Beatriz González del Río, Verónica González Fernández

8 of 8
 PIIM Laboratory
Verónica González Fernández Aix-Marseille Université- CNRS
PhD Physics
MSc in Optical Engineering veronica.gonzalez-fernandez@univ-amu.fr
Bachelor of Physics Skype: gonzalezfdez.veronica

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Physics of Ionic and Molecular Interactions, at the
University of Aix-Marseille (France). I achieved my PhD at the Plasma Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory, at
the University of Valladolid. My research is focused in the development of optical strategies for the
study of cold plasmas. This is an area of maximum interest at this moment, due that cold plasma are at
Tokamak’s edges, trying to generating clean energy (ITER). I am specialized at measuring experimentally
the electric field present in the plasma, responsible of controlling the particle fluxes and the interactions
with the wall.

In my two principal research experiences so far, I have explored different optical techniques to develop
useful non-invasive strategies to provide reliable measurements, always demanded by the plasmas
community. These strategies are very different each from the others. During my PhD thesis, the
measurement technique was laser spectroscopy, achieving high-spatial and temporal resolution. At the
beginning of my postdoctoral stage, I contribute to successfully develop a spectro-tomography
diagnostics, based on emission spectroscopy and followed by a high resolution spectrometer. This
system and able to provide 2D-spatially resolved measurements of the electronic density and
temperature. At this moment, I have been developing since the beginning a system to measure the
electric field in a magnetized plasma column, and it will provide also a way to determine the electronic
density via the electric field.

During all my career I have been involved in teaching tasks. I have taught different optics subjects, both
in Spain, at the University of Valladolid, and here in France, at the Aix-Marseille Université, where I will
take up a temporary teaching position from December onwards. Also, I have mentoring two BS thesis in
Spain, and also two in France, I will be involved in a student collaboration and in a master thesis. In all
these teaching activities, my intention has always been to pass on my experience, trying to help them
build a solid start to a career.

I consider myself a person committed to the causes that matter to me. Since the beginning of my
scientific career, I have been very aware of the problems represented by the low presence of women in
STEM. For this reason, I decided to do everything in my power to help to reverse this situation. Together
with three other young researchers, I have since then founded and coordinated a Committee of the
Spanish Optical Society "Women's Committee in Optics and Photonics". We have developed two
powerful programs in one yare of existence: the program “Knowing the scientist” where we perform
short interviews to disseminate research performed by women, and a Mentoring program, to put young
researchers in contact with more experienced professionals, so that they can find a referent to help
them boost their careers. The Women's Comitte is in contact with the IOSA chapter in Madrid, with
which we have established a fruitful collaboration through one of the Special Grants of OSA, with a
project entitled “IOSA teams up with the Women Optics and Photonics Division @SEDOPTICA”.

I am absolutely convinced that bringing science to the people is a key pillar for the good development of
society itself. That's why scientific outreach has taken up a lot of my time over the last few years. I heard
about these kind of activities was through IOSA chapter, at the Institute of Optics in CSIC (Madrid). I was
fascinated about the incredible outreach activities they developed. Unfortunately, I did not join them,
because my stay there was so short. However they inspired me, and when I started my PhD I led the
initiative of creating a new OSA chapter at the University of Valladolid (Spain), of which I was first
president, then vice president and treasurer. At the same time, we consolidate the already existent EPS
chapter, joining both of them in the non-profit association Physics League, of which I am co - founder,
and I was treasurer for more than three years. The association has developed workshops and shows for
all types of audiences, from children to adults, with an audience of more than 15,000 people throughout
its four years of existence. The activities are organized around various well-known films (Star Wars, The
Lord of the Rings, classic horror films, etc.) to attract the attention of the public, especially the youngest.
Our work has been recognized through various competitions international, such as the "Outreach
Excellence Prize", awarded by the American Optical Society in 2017 and "Best European Outreach
Activity" awarded by the European Physical Society in 2015, among other prestigious awards.
 Laboratoire Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires UMR 7345
Physics of Ionic and Molecular Interactions Laboratory

Laurence Chérigier-Kovacic
Turbulence Plasma team

Marseille, le 21/11/2019

To whom it may concern

Letter of recommendation for Veronica Gonzalez's application for Ivan P. Kaminow

Outstanding Early Career Professional Prize

I met Veronica Gonzalez when she came to our laboratory “Physics of Ionic and Molecular
Interactions Laboratory”, PIIM, in Marseille to give a talk about her PhD work. She was working at
the University of Valladolid in the Plasma Spectroscopy group, a group with which our laboratory has
maintained scientific collaborations for many years. Her thesis work entitled "High-precision two-
photon spectroscopy in hydrogen isotopes for the measurement of the electric field in plasmas
generated in hollow cathode dumps" is a very delicate and complex experimental work that she has
appropriated and for which she has shown very high qualities as an experimenter in spectroscopy,
optics, laser and plasmas. She defended this thesis work on 21 September 2018 at the University of
Valladolid and the thesis jury was unanimous on the high quality of the work carried out.

Following this doctorate, Veronica Gonzalez wanted to carry out a post-doctoral fellowship in France
in a Physics laboratory whose research themes are related to plasmas. After a first three-month
contract at the Laser, Plasmas and Photonic Processes Laboratory, LP3, a joint unit of CNRS and Aix-
Marseille University, she was recruited at the PIIM laboratory as part of the "Turbulence Plasma"
team on a CNRS researcher fixed-term contract for a period of 6 months, which has been renewed
until 2019/11/30. After this date, she will still work with us, but as an assistant professor until
2020/08/31.

The Turbulence Plasma team has developed an experimental device, MISTRAL, to generate a column
of magnetized plasma in order, among other things, to test in the laboratory the experimental
diagnostics that could be used on large installations dedicated to thermonuclear fusion (Tokamaks,
for example). The goal of Dr. Gonzalez's project is to address the lack of direct and non-intrusive
diagnostics for electric field measurement in magnetized plasmas. Indeed, until now, the
measurement and study of the electric field in a plasma like the one generated in the MISTRAL
machine, have never been done. The demonstration of the feasibility of such a measure would be a
first with numerous applications for industrial, laboratory and hot magnetized plasmas of controlled
thermonuclear fusion.

I have had the opportunity to hear Veronica Gonzalez during an oral presentation at an international
conference in 2019 and laboratory seminars and she has, on each occasion, demonstrated great
speaking skills, showing mastery of the work done but also the willingness to share her knowledge.
In this context, she has, in her young scientific career, already given university courses, organised
conferences and participated in numerous scientific dissemination activities.

In addition, she is highly motivated by the defence of the place of women in scientific careers. She
founded and coordinated a committee of the Spanish Optics Society "Área de Mujer en Óptica y
Fotónica / Women in Optics and Photonics Committee" dedicated to making visible and promoting
research by women in the fields of optics and photonics.

Finally, Veronica Gonzalez is a very friendly and open person. She has worked in several teams, in
different laboratories, building very good relationships with her colleagues and laboratory staff.

For all these reasons, I thus fully and strongly recommend Veronica Gonzalez's application to the
Ivan P. Kaminow Outstanding Early Career Professional Prize.

Laurence Chérigier-Kovacic
º
MINISTERIO
DE ECONOMÍA
Y COMPETITIVIDAD
INSTITUTO DE ÓPTICA “DAZA DE VALDÉS”

Maria Vinas, PhD

Senior Post-Doctoral researcher
Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab.
Institute of Optics. Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Serrano, 121 Madrid (Spain)
maria.vinas@csic.es

November 21st, 2019

To Whom it May Concern:

It is my pleasure to recommend Veronica González Fernández for the OSA Ivan P. Kaminow
Outstanding Early Career Professional Prize.

I am a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab of the Institute of
Optics of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid (Spain). During the last 10 years I have
been an OSA member, first as OSA chapter member and later as Early Career Professional. In 2019, I
have been lucky enough to serve as 2019 OSA Ambassador and enjoy the benefits of this and other
fantastic OSA programs. That is why this year I would like to recommend an early career professional
for the OSA Ivan P. Kaminow Outstanding Early Career Professional Prize, so he/she can enjoy the
same fantastic experience.
I came to know Veronica González Fernández when I was her Master thesis co-supervisor, in
collaboration with Professor Susana Marcos (OSA fellow), at the Institute of Optics. The project that
she developed for her Master thesis focused on the visual and optical simulation of multifocal
refractive optical designs for Presbyopia using a liquid-crystal-based phase-only-Spatial-Light-
Modulator (SLM) in a polychromatic Adaptive Optics (AO) environment for Visual Optics applications.
During the development of that project, Veronica showed great experimental skills, which resulted in
the following achievements:
 the development of new computational tools to generate multifocal wrapped phase maps to be
used in the reflective-phase-only SLM
 the design of a new setup for the SLM calibration (chromatic and phase calibration) within the
polychromatic AO system.
 the development of the new calibration method for the improved system.
 on-bench measurements of optical and visual quality in the polychromatic AO system.
 experimental measurements on patients to evaluate the different multifocal designs
 a high-impact scientific publication: Vinas, Dorronsoro, Gonzalez, Cortes, Radhakrishnan, Marcos.
Testing vision with angular and radial multifocal designs using Adaptive Optics. Vision Research,
special issue on Adaptive Optics in the Investigation of Vision and Visual Function (2017)
Overall, Veronica is smart, skilled for computational and experimental work, and has good analytical
skills. She proved herself as an organized, skilled, collaborative young researcher. Her project, written
clear and concise, received the highest evaluation of the course and demonstrated her excellent
communication skills. She also demonstrated good teamwork skills in group assignments. Personally,
Veronica is a well-disciplined student, who went beyond her project requirements in the quantity and
quality of her work, putting in a lot of extra research and lab time.
Veronica González Fernández is currently a post-doctoral fellow (PhD defense, September 2018) at
the Laboratoire de Physique des Interactions Ionique et Moléculaires (CNRS-Aix-Marseille Université,

INSTITUTO DE ÓPTICA (CSIC)

SERRANO, 121
28006 MADRID, ESPAÑA
TEL: (34) 91 561 68 00
º
MINISTERIO
DE ECONOMÍA
Y COMPETITIVIDAD
INSTITUTO DE ÓPTICA “DAZA DE VALDÉS”

France). She is an experimental researcher, specialized in the development of optical tools for plasma
diagnosis. Mainly, she is interested in the measurement of the electric field present in the plasma via
non-intrusive techniques, which she has done using two different techniques (laser spectroscopy and
detection of stimulated emission of Lyman-alpha radiation).
In addition to her scientific achievements, she managed to develop a significant amount of different
outreach activities and be an outstanding member of her OSA-EPS student chapter. She was the
promoter and first president of the OSA-EPS student chapter (Physics league) of the University of
Valladolid (Spain), and subsequently VP and treasurer. Some examples of the outreach activities she
has led are:
 Scary Physics: play set in classic horror films and their villains. With the excuse of some teenagers
lost during a storm, the different villains will be showing them terrifying experiments to show them
the most chilling side of physics.
 The power of Physics: interactive show directed to the general public in which through different
experiments carried out on stage, the aim is to demystify pseudoscience and its powers/myths.
 Game of Physics: three workshops aimed at high school students, inspired in the TV show Game of
Thrones, to teach: optics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism.
These projects received several awards from different scientific societies (among others “Physics in
society” award of the Ciencia en Acción call 2015 of the Spanish Government; “Best Outreach Activity”
award of the Young Minds-EPS 2015; “OSA excellence 2017 prize” for the activities of the chapter).
Moreover, she is one of the founding members (2018) and current Vice-chair (2019-2021) of the
Women in Optics section of the Spanish Optical Society (SEDOPTICA), whose main goal is to promote
female scientific vocations in the area of Optics and Photonics.
Veronica has proven herself to have the perseverance, initiative, and intelligence necessary to become
a successful researcher and a strong leader within the scientific society, thus for all reasons I strongly
believe that she is an exceptional candidate to become an OSA Ivan P. Kaminow Outstanding Early
Career Professional awardee.
If I can be of any further assistance, or provide you with any further information, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Firmado por VIÑAS PEÑA MARIA - 05921078G el día 21/11/2019

con un certificado emitido por AC FNMT Usuarios

Maria Vinas, PhD

Post-Doctoral researcher
Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab
Institute of Optics
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Serrano, 121 Madrid (Spain)
maria.vinas@csic.es

INSTITUTO DE ÓPTICA (CSIC)

SERRANO, 121
28006 MADRID, ESPAÑA
TEL: (34) 91 561 68 00
References

Reference Affiliation Email Member Type

Laurence Aix-Marseille laurence.kovacic Non-member
Chérigier-Kovacic Université @univ-amu.fr
Maria Vinas Institute of Optics maria.vinas@io.cf Early Career
(CSIC) mac.csic.es