Amy Gall, PhD

Amy Gall, PhD

  • Assistant Professor
  • Physics
    • amg0272@auburn.edu
    2101 Leach Science Center
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    Amy Gall is an assistant professor at Auburn University and a research associate at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She works with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory electron beam ion trap facility to create and trap highly charged ions for spectroscopic investigations.

    Her research focuses on atomic processes in collisionally ionized plasmas, including electron impact ionization, excitation and recombination. The atomic data she produces are used to test and benchmark the calculations that underpin astrophysical models.

    She is currently performing high-resolution X-ray and EUV measurements in support of next-generation missions such as XRISM, Athena and MUSE, helping ensure these missions achieve their scientific goals.

    Education

    • PhD Phyiscs Clemson University 2019

    • BS Mechanical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology 2009

    • BS Applied Physics Armstrong State University 2011

    • MS Physics Clemson University 2017

    Professional Experience

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Auburn University, 2025-present
    • Research Associate, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, 2025-present
    • Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, 2021-2025
    • Postdoctoral Researcher, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 2019-2021
    • Predoctoral Fellow, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 2016-2018
    • Visiting Researcher, Atomic Spectroscopy Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2014-2019
    • Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, 2014-2019
    • Manufacturing Engineer, Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas, Savannah Machinery Works, 2011-2013

    Innovation

    Primary Interest Laboratory astrophysics; atomic spectroscopy; spectral diagnostics; high-energy astrophysics; ion traps; instrumentation and detectors
    Techniques Production and confinement of highly charged ions using an electron beam ion trap. Spectroscopic observations of the trapped plasma are made using a variety of detectors, including a flat-field grazing-incidence EUV spectrometer, high-purity germanium detector, silicon lithium detector, Johann-type crystal spectrometer, X-ray microcalorimeter, visible and X-ray CCD detectors, and a photomultiplier tube.

    Engagement

    • Science Club for Girls, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, 2023
    • Ask an Astronomer, Hilliard Elementary School, fifth grade, 2021
    • Eclipse over Clemson, Clemson University, 2017
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program hosting Clemson Elementary School, Clemson University, 2015-2017
    • Math Kangaroo, Clemson University, 2015

    Mission Involvement

    • Line Emission Mapper (LEM): Co-chair of the calibration working group, 2022-2024.
    • X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM): Performance verification target team member.

    Industry Work

    Mitsubishi Power Systems, Engineer

    • Worked extensively with manufacturing and welding processes in production and engineering environments. Activities included process development, creating manufacturing and engineering specifications, documenting process methodology, mentoring student interns and providing daily in-process manufacturing support.
    • Performed detailed metallographic examinations in a metallurgical lab environment on weld test specimens associated with manufacturing and process readiness.

    Publications

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8260-2229

    1. Yang, Y.; Dipti; Foster, A.; Gall, A.; Szypryt, P.; O'Neil, G.; Hosier, A.; Naing, A.; Schultz, D.; Tan, J.N.; Smith, R.K.; Brickhouse, N.; Ralchenko, Yu.; Takacs, E. Experimental Electron Impact Ionization Cross Sections of Fe XXV and Maxwellian-Averaged Rate Coefficients. A&A, 700, A263, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202554332
    2. Gall, A.; Mondeel, G.P.; Foster, A.; Takacs, E.; Brickhouse, N.; Smith, R.K. Effective Electron Density Measurement via Ion Emission Imaging in the SAO EBIT. JINST, 20, C06036, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/20/06/C06036
    3. Gall, A.; Foster, A.; Yang, Y.; Takacs, E.; Brickhouse, N.; Silver, E.; Mondeel, G.P.; Smith, R.K. The Status and Recent Updates of the SAO EBIT. JINST, 20, C03036, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/20/03/C03036
    4. Yang, Y.; Dipti; Gall, A.; Brickhouse, N.; Staiger, H.; O'Neil, G.; Szypryt, P.; Foster, A.; Schultz, D.; Naing, A.; Tan, J.N.; Swetz, D.; Fogle, M.; Smith, R.K.; Ralchenko, Yu.; Takacs, E. Charge-Exchange Processes in EBIT: Implications for Spectral Analysis of Few-Electron Fe Ions. JINST, 20, C04028, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/20/04/C04028
    5. Burke, T.; Gall, A.; Marler, J.P.; Dipti; O'Neil, G.; Szypryt, P.; Yang, Y.; Naing, A.; Tan, J.N.; Ralchenko, Yu.; Brewer, S.M.; Fogle, M.; Takacs, E. High-n Rydberg States of Highly Charged Argon Ions Populated by Dielectronic Resonance Capture. J. Phys. B, in preparation, 2024.
    6. Yang, Y.; Dipti; Suzuki, C.; Gall, A.; Silwal, R.; Sanders, S.; Naing, A.; Tan, J.; Takacs, E.; Ralchenko, Yu. Observations and Identifications of Extreme Ultraviolet Spectra of Ca-Like to Na-Like Neodymium Ions Using an Electron Beam Ion Trap. J. Phys. B, 56, 175003, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/aceed9
    7. Yang, Y.; Dipti; Gall, A.; O'Neil, G.; Szypryt, P.; Hosier, A.; Foster, A.; Naing, A.; Tan, J.N.; Schultz, D.R.; et al. Determination of Electron Beam Energy in Measuring the Electron-Impact Ionization Cross Section of He-Like Fe24+. Atoms, 11, 44, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms11030044
    8. Silwal, R.; Dipti; Takacs, E.; Dreiling, J.M.; Sanders, S.C.; Gall, A.C.; Rudramadevi, B.H.; Gillaspy, J.D.; Ralchenko, Yu. Spectroscopic Analysis of M- and N-Intrashell Transitions in Co-Like to Na-Like Yb Ions. J. Phys. B, 54, 245001, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/ac44e1
    9. Suzuki, C.; Dipti; Yang, Y.; Gall, A.; Silwal, R.; Sanders, S.; Naing, A.; Tan, J.; Takacs, E.; Ralchenko, Yu. Identifications of Extreme Ultraviolet Spectra of Br-Like to Ni-Like Neodymium Ions Using an Electron Beam Ion Trap. J. Phys. B, 54, 015001, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/abc9cd
    10. O'Neil, G.; Sanders, S.; Szypryt, P.; Dipti; Gall, A.; Yang, Y.; Brewer, S.M.; Doriese, R.; Fowler, J.; Naing, A.; Swetz, D.; Tan, J.; Ullom, J.; Volotka, A.V.; Takacs, E.; Ralchenko, Yu. Measurement of the 2P1/2-2P3/2 Fine-Structure Splitting in Fluorine-Like Kr, W, Re, Os and Ir. Phys. Rev. A, 102, 032803, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.102.032803
    11. Gall, A.C.; Dipti; Buechele, S.W.; Sanders, S.; Silwal, R.; Szabo-Foster, C.; Brickhouse, N.; Ralchenko, Yu.; Takacs, E. Measurements of Linear Polarization of Satellite Transitions from Li- and Be-Like Ar Ions. J. Phys. B, 53, 145004, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/ab8eff
    12. Dipti; Buechele, S.W.; Gall, A.C.; Sanders, S.; Szabo-Foster, C.; Silwal, R.; Takacs, E.; Ralchenko, Yu. Linear Polarization of Anisotropically Excited X-Ray Lines from the n=2 Complex in He-Like Ar16+. J. Phys. B, 53, 115701, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/ab7d25
    13. Dipti; Borovik, A., Jr.; Silwal, R.; Dreiling, J.M.; Gall, A.C.; Takacs, E.; Ralchenko, Yu. Dielectronic Resonances of LMn and LNn, n ≥ 4, Series in Highly Charged M-Shell Tungsten Ions. Phys. Rev. A, 101, 032503, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.101.032503
    14. Gall, A.C.; Foster, A.R.; Silwal, R.; Dreiling, J.M.; Borovik, A., Jr.; Kilgore, E.; Ajello, M.; Gillaspy, J.D.; Ralchenko, Yu.; Takacs, E. EBIT Observation of Ar Dielectronic Recombination Lines Near the Unknown Faint X-Ray Feature Found in the Stacked Spectrum of Galaxy Clusters. ApJ, 872, 194, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab0177
    15. Sanders, S.C.; Silwal, R.; Rudramadevi, B.H.; Gall, A.C.; Takacs, E. High-Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of Highly Charged Tungsten EBIT Plasma. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B, 431, 47, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2018.06.013
    16. Medlin, D.; Heffron, W.; Siegel, A.; Wilson, K.; Klingenberger, A.; Gall, A.; Rusin, M.; Dean, D.; Takacs, E. Development of an X-Ray Irradiation Port for Biomedical Applications at the CUEBIT Facility. J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., 583, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/583/1/012048
    17. Klingenberger, J.; Schott, M.; Kimmel, T.; Medlin, D.; Gall, A.; Rusin, M.; Dean, D.; Dean, B.; Takacs, E. Modeling Low-Energy X-Ray Interactions with Biological Material at the CUEBIT. J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., 583, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/583/1/012046
    18. Takacs, E.; Kimmel, T.D.; Brandenburg, K.H.; Wilson, R.K.; Gall, A.C.; Harriss, J.E.; Sosolik, C.E. Diagnostic Measurements of CUEBIT Based on the Dielectronic Resonance Process. AIP Conf. Proc., 1640, 154, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4905414