Commitment, character, and creativity drive results.
Our team shares a passion for discovery.
Meet the ASE Engineers
Dr. Damon Diehl is the staff scientist for ASE Optics. He received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, and his B.A. in Physics from the University of Chicago. While at the University of Chicago, he also completed the requirements for a B.A. in Mathematics. Before entering graduate school, he was a senior research technician for the Fermilab KTeV project. His doctoral research, with Dr. Nicholas George, centered on the design and construction of a precision optical system for fabricating thin-film interference filters in photopolymer films using holographic techniques. He also developed innovative mathematical techniques for modeling interference filters with gradient index profiles. Dr. Diehl performed post-doctoral research with Taco Visser at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, and continues to publish in the field of near-field optics. Since joining ASE Optics, Dr. Diehl has performed research for the US Army, Recon/Optical, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, among others.
Dr. Wade Cook is an optical systems engineer and the engineering manager for ASE Optics. He received his Ph.D. in Optics from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, his Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and his B.S. in Engineering Physics from the U.S. Military Academy. His dissertation research, conducted with Dr. Nicholas George, was in holography of moving objects and laser measurement of small amplitude, low frequency vibrations. Before coming to ASE Optics, Wade was an optical systems engineer and project manager for ITT Geospatial Systems. There, he worked in various stages of the design, manufacture, assembly, and test of electro-optic remote sensing devices, including space and airborne systems. He also worked in image chain analysis and lidar system simulation. His management experience includes leadership of U.S. Army units in the U.S., Italy, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.
Christopher Ditchman is an optical engineer at ASE Optics. He has an M.S. in Optics from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, and a B.A. in Physics from The College of Wooster. His experience covers image processing, interferometry, optical modeling, computer programming, electronic interfacing, software development, and system assembly and testing. Mr. Ditchman has performed work for The University of Rochester’s Laboratory of Laser Energetics, the US Army, SCRAM Technologies, Bausch & Lomb, Lumetrics, and other companies. For his graduate research, he constructed a phase shifting interferometer, and his undergraduate work involved building an automated measurement system for analyzing liquid crystal samples. During his undergraduate years, he completed an internship at the NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory and worked on remote sensing and satellite imagery.
Nathan Burdick is an optical engineer at ASE Optics. He received his M.S. from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, and a B.S. in Physics from SUNY Oswego. Mr. Burdick held engineering positions at Micron Technology and JML Optical Industries. He has experience with optical design, optical testing, and assembly.
Peter Emmel is an optical engineer at ASE Optics. His expertise spans technical and administrative areas amounting to over 38 years of experience, particularly in the fields of laser interferometry and metrology, optical system integration and alignment, lens design and testing, and mechanical system design. Mr. Emmel has served in technical and managerial capacities at Tropel, Coherent, Inc., Mendon Optronics (which he founded), Rochester Photonics Corp., and SEMROCK Inc. His educational background includes a degree in economics as well as optical engineering, management, and manufacturing training.
Howard Ammenheuser is an engineering technician at ASE Optics. He earned his AAS in Optics from Monroe Community College. Mr. Ammenheuser has over 17 years of experience working on a variety of optical systems. He was previously employed with Burleigh Instruments, Inc., Holotek Ltd. (A division of ECRM), and the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
