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Physics

Optical physics and communications

Projects/Programs

Keyword

Organizational Unit

GaN Nanowire Metrology and Applications

Ongoing

We synthesize semiconductor nanostructures to serve both as test structures for measurement techniques and as building blocks for novel metrology tools and

Greenhouse Gas and Atmospheric Trace Gas Measurements

Ongoing

Recent advances in dual-comb spectroscopy enable new opportunities in accurate and precise open-path atmospheric sensing of multiple atmospheric gases critical

High-Power Laser Applications

Ongoing

High-power continuous wave lasers have output powers from tens of watts to hundreds of kilowatts. Their applications are anywhere localized delivery of high

Infrared optical properties of materials and components

Ongoing

Accurate measurements of the optical properties of materials in the infrared spectral range play an increasingly important role in the aerospace and defense

Image of the sun at 33.5 nm on 2011-09-06.

Intercomparison of satellite instrument calibrations at SURF III/NIST and MLS/PTB

Ongoing

A bilateral intercomparison of calibrations performed at the Metrology Light Source (MLS) of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Berlin, Germany

Label-free imaging of cells and their extracellular matrix by SPR imaging

Ongoing

Laser Power and Energy Meter Calibration

Ongoing

The NIST Laser Power and Energy Calibration Project develops and maintains the U.S. national standards for the characterization of laser power and energy

Light-matter interactions in Semiconductor Nanostructures

Ongoing

The quantum optics of light interacting with semiconductor-based nanostructures is being studied to extend concepts of entanglement and coherence in atomic

Measuring Light-Matter Interactions in Chip-Based Optical Cavities

Ongoing

Measuring interactions between light and matter has both fundamental and practical importance. For example, lasers have had a profound influence on science and

Metrology for extreme ultraviolet lithography

Ongoing

Much of the activity of the UV Physics Group is aimed at supporting the R&D effort by the microelectronics industry to develop Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography

Micro- and nano-optomechanical systems

Ongoing

Light can interact with mechanical systems in interesting and useful ways, not only probing the mechanical motion with spectacular sensitivity, but also driving

Nano-biophotonics for molecular imaging

Ongoing

Biophotonics is at the intersection of photonics and biology where light is used to image, detect, and manipulate biological materials. This project addresses

Nanoplasmonics and Three-Dimensional Plasmonic Metamaterials

Ongoing

Metamaterials are tailor-made photonic composites--combinations of materials designed to achieve optical properties not seen in nature. The properties stem from

Nano-Structured Optics and Optical Surface Metrology

Ongoing

The project focuses on significant metrology challenges that impede the advancement of high-performance optical and photonic systems. We develop, fabricate, and

Ocean Color

Ongoing

Ocean color radiometry provides essential information about phytoplankton concentration and dissolved organic matter, and hence about primary productivity

Optical grating scatterometry

Ongoing

This program aims to develop standards, methods, and modeling for assessing the periodic structures using optical reflectance and transmittance measurements.

Optical medical imaging

The Optical Medical Imaging project was established to advance the application of optical imaging in surgical, clinical, and medical practices. Our goal is to

Optical and Optoelectronic Materials Characterization

Ongoing

This project aims to develop rigorous measurements and methodology needed for determining optical and electrical properties of advanced materials that might be

spatial frequency domain Mueller matrix imager

Optical Polarization Metrology

Ongoing

This program aims to improve the metrology of optical polarization by developing new measurement methods and theoretical understanding of polarization phenomena

Optical scattering from surfaces

Ongoing

We study how material properties, surface topography, and contaminants affect the distribution of light scattered from surfaces. Our aim is to support industry

Optoelectrical Characterization of Nanostructured Photovoltaic Materials and Devices

Completed

Photovoltaics technology is usually categorized into three generations: 1) devices based on polysilicon; 2) devices based on thin-film direct bandgap

Photonic Dosimetry

Ongoing

As part of the NIST on a Chip program, the Photonic Dosimetry project is developing in-situ sub-micrometer ionizing-radiation dosimetry and calorimetry leading

Planar absolute cryogenic radiometer with multiwall vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes. Superconducting transition-edge sensor. Fully-lithographic fabrication.

Photonic Radiometry

Ongoing

Accurate characterization of photonic equipment is important for optical communications, medical devices, semiconductor lithography, manufacturing and materials

ion trap with integrated fiber Fabry-Perot cavity

Quantum Networking with Trapped Ions

Ongoing

Quantum networks, a promising resource for computing and sensing, generate useful entanglement between locations separated by geographic distances. Our research

Quantum Physics Theory

Ongoing

Theoretical work relevant to the determination of values of the fundamental constants, tests of bound-state quantum electrodynamics (QED), and methods of

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----Biosystems and Biomaterials Division - HQ
---Chemical Sciences Division
----Biochemical and Exposure Science Group
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----Chemical Process and Nuclear Measurements Group
----Gas Sensing Metrology Group
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----Chemical Sciences Division - HQ
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---Materials Science and Engineering Division
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----Materials Science and Engineering Division - HQ
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---Time and Frequency Division
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---Applied Physics Division
----Advanced Microwave Photonics Group
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----Applied Physics - HQ
----Faint Photonics Group
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---Quantum Measurement Division
----Quantum Optics Group
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----Laser Cooling and Trapping Group
----Fundamental Electrical Measurements Group
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---Quantum Sensors Division
----Device Fabrication Group
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----Nanoscale Spin Dynamics Group
----Microfabrication Group
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----Magnetics Group
---Nanoscale Device Characterization Division
----Atom Scale Device Group
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