Papers
7
Total Citations
283
H-Index
5
About
Claire Poppett is a key figure in experimental cosmology, specializing in the precision instrumentation that enables large-scale spectroscopic surveys. Her primary research areas center on fiber-optic positioning systems, focal plane calibration, and the mitigation of systematic biases in galaxy clustering measurements. Poppett’s most significant contribution is her leadership in the design, production, and performance validation of the fiber system for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). She was instrumental in developing the 5,020 robotic fiber positioners that automatically retarget optical fibers every 10–20 minutes with micron-level precision—a feat described in her most-cited paper (175 citations). Her work on focal ratio degradation and front-end fiber systems directly enabled DESI’s ability to measure 40 million galaxies and quasars, creating the largest 3D map of the universe. Poppett has also advanced the statistical methodology for unbiased clustering measurements, producing alternate realizations of fiber assignment to correct for hardware-imposed selection effects. Her astrometric calibration of the DESI focal plane ensures the instrument’s extraordinary positional accuracy. Through these contributions, Poppett has been essential to DESI’s mission of probing dark energy and the expansion history of the cosmos.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Overview of the Fiber System for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument57 citations · 2024
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- 6Design, production, and performance of the DESI front end fiber system5 citations · 2018
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