Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Physics

Atomic/molecular/quantum

News and Updates

Keyword

Organization

Bringing the World Closer to Revised Measurement System, Scientists Update Four Key Fundamental Constants

October 23, 2017

Paving the way for transforming the world’s measurement system, an international task force has determined updated values for four fundamental constants of...

Amplitude Sensing below the Zero-Point Fluctuations

October 18, 2017

Employing techniques developed for quantum information processing with trapped ions, we demonstrate a sensitive technique for measuring the amplitude of the...

JILA Spinning Method Confirms the Electron Still Seems Round

October 9, 2017

JILA physicists have for the first time used their spinning molecules technique to measure the “roundness” of the electron, confirming the leading results from...

JILA’s 3-D Quantum Gas Atomic Clock Offers New Dimensions in Measurement

October 5, 2017

JILA physicists have created an entirely new design for an atomic clock, in which strontium atoms are packed into a tiny three-dimensional (3-D) cube at 1,000...

Researchers Find New Way to Manipulate Magnetism

September 14, 2017

In a pioneering effort to control, measure and understand magnetism at the atomic level, researchers working at the National Institute of Standards and...

Close up shot of the NIST Kibble balance with two kilograms stacked on it

New Measurement Will Help Redefine International Unit of Mass

June 30, 2017

Using a state-of-the-art device for measuring mass, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made their most precise...

NIST/CU Team Launches ‘Comb and Copter’ System to Map Atmospheric Gases

June 23, 2017

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder have demonstrated a new mobile, ground-based...

Quantum Thermometer or Optical Refrigerator?

June 22, 2017

In an arranged marriage of optics and mechanics, physicists have created microscopic structural beams that have a variety of powerful uses when light strikes...

Top image is classical orbit. Bottom image: electron with different physical state.

Researchers Develop Magnetic Switch to Turn On and Off a Strange Quantum Property

May 25, 2017

GAITHERSBURG, Md.--When a ballerina pirouettes, twirling a full revolution, she looks just as she did when she started. But for electrons and other subatomic...

No Liquid Helium, But Still Extremely Cool

May 23, 2017

NIST scientists have devised a novel hybrid system for cooling superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPD) – essential tools for many kinds of...

The New Standard for Resistance Standards?

May 22, 2017

Contrary to the popular maxim, resistance is not futile. But it is quantized: The ratings of the heat-making resistors in your hair dryer or toaster ultimately...

Illustration of laser cooling motion of atomic ion

NIST Physicists Find a Way to Control Charged Molecules – with Quantum Logic

May 10, 2017

BOULDER, Colo.—National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) physicists have solved the seemingly intractable puzzle of how to control the quantum...

NIST Invents Fundamental Component for ‘Spintronic’ Computing

April 26, 2017

NIST has been granted a patent for technology that may hasten the advent of a long-awaited new generation of high-performance, low-energy computers....

NIST Physicists Show Ion Pairs Perform Enhanced 'Spooky Action'

March 28, 2017

Adding to strong recent demonstrations that particles of light perform what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance,” in which two separated objects can...

1st North American Conference on Trapped Ions

March 20, 2017

The Ion Storage group at NIST Boulder will be holding a new Ion Trap Conference at our laboratory. The conference will be similar in scope and aims to the...

Mystery of the Dark Solitons

February 24, 2017

When your heart beats, blood courses through your arteries in waves of pressure. These pressure waves manifest as your pulse, a regular rhythm unperturbed by...

NIST Physicists ‘Squeeze’ Light to Cool Microscopic Drum Below Quantum Limit

January 11, 2017

Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have cooled a mechanical object to a temperature lower than previously thought possible...

Illustration of strontium lattice atomic clock

JILA Atomic Clock Mimics Long-sought Synthetic Magnetic State in Solids

December 21, 2016

Using their advanced atomic clock to mimic other desirable quantum systems, JILA physicists have caused atoms in a gas to behave as if they possess unusual...

In Search of ‘Sterile’ Neutrinos

December 9, 2016

Lately, neutrinos – the tiny, nearly massless particles that many scientists study to better understand the fundamental workings of the universe – have been...

NIST Debuts Dual Atomic Clock — and a New Stability Record

November 28, 2016

What could be better than a world-leading atomic clock? Two clocks in one. Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have combined...

Universe’s Constants Now Known with Sufficient Certainty to Completely Redefine the International System of Units

November 22, 2016

Fundamental constants are physical quantities that are universal in nature. For example, the speed of light in vacuum and the charge of a single electron are...

Seeing Light’s Effect on Atoms — Within Picoseconds

November 16, 2016

For the first time in a laboratory setting, NIST scientists have made stop-action x-ray measurements of the way visible light interacts with atoms and molecules...

This artist’s conception imagines the proposed ring of atoms as cars on a beltway.

Atomic Beltway Could Solve Problems of Cosmic Gravity

November 14, 2016

When is a traffic jam not a traffic jam? When it's a quantum traffic jam, of course. Only in quantum physics can traffic be standing still and moving at the...

JILA Team Spots Elusive Intermediate Compound in Atmospheric Chemistry

October 27, 2016

BOULDER, Colo.-- JILA physicists and colleagues have identified a long-missing piece in the puzzle of exactly how fossil fuel combustion contributes to air...

Screenshot of an animation of a superradiant laser

JILA’s Superradiant Laser May One Day Boost Atomic Clocks and ‘Rulers’ for Space

October 14, 2016

BOULDER, Colo. – JILA physicists have demonstrated a novel laser design based on synchronized emissions of light from the same type of atoms used in advanced...

Was this page helpful?

NIST Headquarters
-Executive Director for Semiconductor Innovation and Investment
--CHIPS Program Office
---CHIPS Program Headquarters
----CHIPS Program Headquarters - HQ
----Opportunity & Inclusion Group
---External & Government Affairs Division
----External & Government Affairs - HQ
---Investments Division
----Investments Division - HQ
---Operations Office
----Operations Office - HQ
---Risk Management Division
----Risk Management - HQ
---Strategy, Technology & Policy Division
----Strategy, Technology & Policy - HQ
--CHIPS Research & Development Program Office
---CHIPS Research & Development Program Headquarters Division
----CHIPS Research & Development Program Headquarters - HQ
----Integration & Policy Office
----Outreach & Partnerships Office
---External R&D Partnerships Division
----External R&D Partnerships - HQ
----National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Group
----National Semiconductor Technology Center Group
---Industrial Advisory Committee
----Industrial Advisory Committee - HQ
---Semiconductor Manufacturing Institute Division
----Semiconductor Manufacturing Institute - HQ
--Executive Director for Semiconductor Innovation and Investment
---Executive Director for Semiconductor Innovation and Investment
----Executive Director for Semiconductor Innovation and Investment - HQ
-Management Resources
--Management Resources
---Associate Director for Management Resources
----Associate Director for Management Resources - HQ
---Business Operations Office
----Business Analytics Group
----Business Operations Office - HQ
----Process Engineering Office
---Emergency Services Office
----Emergency Management, Preparedness and Coordination Group
----Emergency Services - HQ
----Fire Protection Group
----Security Systems and Access Control Group
---Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility Office
----Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility - HQ
---NIST Research Library and Museum
----NIST Research Library and Museum - HQ
---Fabrication Technology Office
----Fabrication Technology Office - HQ
--Office of Facilities and Property Management
---Boulder Design and Construction Division
----Boulder Design and Construction - HQ
----Facilities Improvement (Boulder) Group
----Reimbursable Work Group
----Facilities Modernization (Boulder) Group
---Gaithersburg Design and Construction Division
----Facilities Improvement (Gaithersburg) Group
----Reimbursable Work (Gaithersburg) Group
----Facilities Modernization (Gaithersburg) Group
----Gaithersburg Design and Construction - HQ
---Gaithersburg Facility Maintenance Division
----Building Management (Gaithersburg) Group
----Operations Engineering Group
----Gaithersburg Facility Maintenance - HQ
----Operations and Maintenance (Gaithersburg) Group
---Facilities Services Division
----Logistics Group
----Materials Management (Gaithersburg) Group
----Site Services Group
----Facilities Services Division - HQ
---Boulder Facilities Maintenance Division
----Site Support Group
----Boulder Facilities Maintenance- HQ
---Office of Facilities and Property Management
----Capital Asset Management and Facilities Planning Group
----OFPM Program Management Office
----Office of Facilities and Property Management - HQ
----Administrative Operations Group
----Safety, Health and Compliance Group
--Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management
---Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management
----Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management - HQ
---Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office
----Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office - HQ
---Acquisition Management Division
----Acquisition Management - HQ
----Acquisition Operations
----Acquisition Operations
----Acquisition Policy and Reimbursable Agreements
--Office of Information Systems Management
---Applications Systems Division
----Applications Systems - HQ
----Business Systems Group
----Custom Applications Development Group
----Data Management & Business Intelligence Group
----Database & Applications Infrastructure Group
----Drupal Development Group
----Identity & Access Management (IDAM) Group
----Institutional Systems Support Group
----OSHE Web Development Group
---Research Services Office
----Lab Automation Group
----Research Services Office - HQ
----Scientific Systems Group
---Service Delivery Excellence Office
----Customer Relationship Management Group
----Project Management Group
----Salesforce DevOps Group
----Service Delivery Excellence Office
----ServiceNow DevOps Group
---Information Technology Security & Networking Division
----A&A Assessment Group
----A&A Infrastructure Group
----Assessment & Accreditation (A&A) Program
----Embedded IT Security Officer Group
----Information Technology Security & Networking - HQ
----Network Security Group
----Networking Group
----Privacy Group
----Security Implementation & Incident Response Group
----Telecommunications Group
---Customer Access and Support Division
----CASD Boulder Site Support Group
----Customer Access and Support - HQ
----Desktop Support Group
----Embedded Support Group A
----Embedded Support Group B
----Managed Endpoint for MAC & Mobile Group
----Managed Endpoint Windows Group
----Service Desk Operations Group
---Infrastructure Services Division
----Compute & Storage Group
----Computer Facilities Group
----Infrastructure Services Division - HQ
----Security & Monitoring Group
----Unix Hosting Group
----Windows Hosting Group
---Office of Information Systems Management
----Office of Information Systems Management - HQ
----Service & Project Management Group
---Platform Services Division
----Authentication & Directory Services Group
----Collaboration Services Group
----Enterprise Cloud Communications Group
----Enterprise Continuous Diagnostics and Monitoring Group
----Platform Management Group
----Platform Services Division - HQ
--Office of Human Resources Management
---Learning and Organizational Development Division
----Learning and Organizational Development - HQ
---Talent Acquisition Division
----Talent Acquisition - HQ
---Workforce Analytics and Technology Division
----Workforce Analytics and Technology - HQ
---Human Resources Management Office
----Human Resources Management Office - HQ
---Workforce Programs Division
----Workforce Programs - HQ
--Office of Safety, Health and Environment
---Fire Protection Authority Division
----Fire Protection Authority - HQ
---Office of Safety, Health and Environment
----Office of Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
---Gaithersburg Safety, Health and Environment Division
----Occupational Health Group
----Occupational Safety Group
----Gaithersburg Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
----Environmental Management Group
---Radiation Safety Division
----Radiation Facilities Group
----Program Development and Compliance Group
----Radiation Safety - HQ
---Boulder Safety, Health and Environment Division
----Boulder Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
--Office of Financial Resource Management
---Financial Systems and Reporting Division
----CBS Core Support Group
----CBS Feeder System Support Group
----Financial Systems and Reporting Division - HQ
----Financial Statements Group
----Data Control Group
----Reconciliations Group
---Office of Financial Resource Management
----Office of Financial Resource Management - HQ
----Internal Controls Management & Evaluation Office
----Enterprise Risk Management Office
---Financial Operations Division
----Travel Group
----Agreements Group
----Accounts Receivable Group
----Financial Operations - HQ
----Accounts Payable Group
---Budget Division
----Technical and Extramural Programs Group
----Institutional Support and Facilities Group
----Budget - HQ
----Formulation and Financial Management Group
-Laboratory Programs
--Communications Technology Laboratory
---Quantum Communications Division
----Quantum Communications - HQ
----Quantum Networking & Transduction Group
----Quantum Networks Architecture and Protocols Group
----Scalable Quantum Computing Group
---RF Technology Division
----High-Speed Waveform Metrology Group
----Superconductive Electronics Group
----Guided Wave Electromagnetics Group
----Electromagnetic Fields Group
----RF Technology Division - HQ
---Smart Connected Systems Division
----IoT Devices and Infrastructures Group
----Networked Control Systems Group
----Smart Connected Manufacturing Systems Group
----Smart Grid Group
----Transformational Networks and Services Group
---Spectrum Technology and Research Division
----Applied Systems Metrology Group
----Fiber Sources and Applications Group
----Shared Spectrum Metrology Group
----Spectrum Technology and Research - HQ
---Wireless Networks Division
----Internet Technologies Research Group
----Radio Access and Propagation Metrology Group
----Wireless Networks Division - HQ
----Wireless Systems Innovation and Performance Group
---Public Safety Communications Research Division
----Public Safety Communications Research Division - HQ
----Advanced Communications Research Group
----Network Operations Group
---Communications Technology Laboratory HQ
----Communications Technology Laboratory HQ Gp
----Boulder Laboratory Director Office
--Engineering Laboratory
---Building Energy and Environment Division
----Building Energy and Environment - HQ
----Mechanical Systems and Controls Group
----Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group
----HVAC&R Equipment Performance Group
----Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group
---Intelligent Systems Division
----Intelligent Systems - HQ
----Manipulation and Mobility Systems Group
----Cognition and Collaboration Systems Group
----Production Systems Group
----Sensing and Perception Systems Group
---Materials and Structural Systems Division
----Earthquake Engineering Group
----Engineering Research Support Group
----Infrastructure Materials Group
----Community Resilience Group
----Materials and Structural Systems - HQ
----Structures Group
---Engineering Laboratory Office
----Applied Economics Office
----Disaster Impact Reduction Office
----Engineering Laboratory - HQ
----Engineering Laboratory Data, Security, Technology Group
---Fire Research Division
----National Fire Research Laboratory Group
----Wildland Urban Interface Fire Group
----Flammability Reduction Group
----Fire Research - HQ
----Engineered Fire Safety Group
----Fire Fighting Technology Group
---Systems Integration Division
----Life Cycle Engineering Group
----Process Engineering Group
----Information Modeling and Testing Group
----Systems Integration - HQ
--Information Technology Laboratory
---Applied Cybersecurity Division
----Applied Cybersecurity - HQ
----Cybersecurity and Privacy Applications Group
----National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
----NICE
---Computer Security Division
----Computer Security - HQ
----Cryptographic Technology Group
----Software Security Group
----Hardware Security Group
----Security Engineering and Risk Management Group
---Applied and Computational Mathematics Division
----Mathematical Software Group
----Mathematical Analysis and Modeling Group
----Quantum Information Group
----High Performance Computing and Visualization Group
----Applied and Computational Mathematics - HQ
---Statistical Engineering Division
----Applied and Computational Statistics Group
----Statistical Design, Analysis, and Modeling Group
----Statistical Engineering - HQ
---AI Research, Measurement, and Standards Division
----AI Standards and Guidelines Group
----AI Research, Measurement, and Standards - HQ
----Applied AI Research Group
---Technology Test and Evaluation Division
----Technology Test and Evaluation - HQ
----Biometric Technologies Group
----Multimedia Language Technologies Group
----AI Technologies Group
----Human-Centered Technologies Group
---Information Technology Laboratory Office
----Office of IT Standardization
----Information Technology Laboratory Office - HQ
----Office of Chief Cybersecurity Advisor
--Laboratory Programs
---Emerging Technologies Acceleration Program
----Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Group
----Biotechnology Accelerator Group
----Emerging Technologies Acceleration Program - HQ
----Quantum Technology Accelerator Group
---Research Data and Computing Office
----Research Data and Computing Office - HQ
---Research Protections Office
----Research Protections Office - HQ
---Research Security and Safeguarding Science Office
----Research Security and Safeguarding Science - HQ
---Semiconductor Metrology Program
----Semiconductor Metrology Program - HQ
---Standards Coordination Office
----International Standards Policy and Coordination Group
----Standards and Conformity Assessment Services Group
----Standards Coordination Office - HQ
----National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)
---Special Programs Office
----Special Programs Office-HQ
---Associate Director for Laboratory Programs
----Associate Director for Laboratory Programs - HQ
--Material Measurement Laboratory
---Office of Reference Materials
----Business and Quality Management Group
----Business Application Development, Support, and Security Group
----Sales and Customer Services Group
----Publication and Web Services Group
----Office of Reference Materials - HQ
----Materials and Physical Services Group
---Material Data Division
----Data Science and AI Group
----Material Data Division - HQ
----Theory, Modeling, and Simulation Group
----Data Center and Business Group
----Data Services and Infrastructure Group
---Biosystems and Biomaterials Division
----Biomarker and Genomic Sciences Group
----Cellular Engineering Group
----Biomaterials Group
----Complex Microbial Systems Group
----Cell Systems Science Group
----Biosystems and Biomaterials Division - HQ
---Chemical Sciences Division
----Biochemical and Exposure Science Group
----Optical Measurements Group
----Chemical Process and Nuclear Measurements Group
----Gas Sensing Metrology Group
----Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group
----Biospecimen Science Group
----Chemical Sciences Division - HQ
----Organic Chemical Metrology Group
---Biomolecular Measurement Division
----Biomolecular Structure and Function Group
----Mass Spectrometry Data Center Group
----Bioprocess Measurements Group
----Bioanalytical Science Group
----Biomolecular Measurement Division - HQ
----Applied Genetics Group
---Applied Chemicals and Materials Division
----Applied Chemicals and Materials Division - HQ
----Thermodynamics Research Center Group
----Thermophysical Properties of Fluids Group
----Nanoscale Reliability Group
----Fluid Characterization Group
----Fatigue and Fracture Group
---Materials Science and Engineering Division
----Thermodynamics and Kinetics Group
----Polymers Processing Group
----Mechanical Performance Group
----Polymers and Complex Fluids Group
----Materials Science and Engineering Division - HQ
----Functional Polymers Group
----Functional Nanostructured Materials Group
---Materials Measurement Science Division
----Security Technologies Group
----Surface and Trace Chemical Analysis Group
----Nanomechanical Properties Group
----Nano Materials Research Group
----Materials Structure and Data Group
----Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Group
----Synchrotron Science Group
----Materials Measurement Science Division - HQ
----Data and AI-Driven Materials Science Group
---Material Measurement Laboratory Office
----The Material Measurement Laboratory Office of Operations Group
----Material Measurement Laboratory - HQ
----Genome-Scale Measurement Group
--NIST Center for Neutron Research
---NIST Center for Neutron Research
----Research Facility Operations Group
----NIST Center for Neutron Research - HQ
----Reactor Operations and Engineering Group
----Neutron-Condensed Matter Science Group
--Physical Measurement Laboratory
---Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division
----Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group
----Microsystems and Nanotechnology - HQ
----Nanostructure Fabrication and Measurement Group
----Photonics and Optomechanics Group
---Time and Frequency Division
----Atomic Devices & Instrumentation Group
----Precision Photonic Synthesis Group
----Quantum & Nonlinear Nanophotonics Group
----Ion Storage Group
----Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group
----Time Realization and Distribution Group
----Phase Noise Metrology Group
----Time and Frequency - HQ
---Quantum Physics Division
----Quantum Physics - HQ
---Radiation Physics Division
----Dosimetry Group
----Radioactivity Group
----Radiation Physics - HQ
----Neutron Physics Group
---Sensor Science Division
----Fundamental Thermodynamics Group
----Sensor Science - HQ
----Dimensional Metrology Group
----Temperature & Humidity Group
----Remote Sensing Group
----Optical Radiation Group
----Fluid Metrology Group
----Surface and Interface Metrology Group
---Applied Physics Division
----Advanced Microwave Photonics Group
----Spin Electronics Group
----Applied Physics - HQ
----Faint Photonics Group
----Quantitative Nanostructure Characterization Group
----Molecular and Bio-Photonics Group
----Magnetic Imaging Group
----Quantum Nanophotonics Group
----Sources and Detectors Group
---Quantum Measurement Division
----Quantum Optics Group
----Mass and Force Group
----Quantum Measurement - HQ
----Laser Cooling and Trapping Group
----Fundamental Electrical Measurements Group
----Applied Electrical Metrology Group
---Quantum Sensors Division
----Device Fabrication Group
----Long Wavelength Sensors and Applications Group
----Quantum Calorimeters Group
----Quantum Electronics Group
----Quantum Sensors - HQ
---Nanoscale Device Characterization Division
----Atom Scale Device Group
----Nanoscale Device Characterization Division - HQ
----Alternative Computing Group
----Nanoscale Spectroscopy Group
----Advanced Electronics Group
----Quantum Nanoelectronics Group
---Physical Measurement Laboratory Office
----Boulder Microfabrication Facility
----Physical Measurement Laboratory- HQ
----Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology
----Office of Weights and Measures
-Innovation & Industry Services
--Office of Advanced Manufacturing
---Microelectronics Manufacturing Division
----Microelectronics Manufacturing - HQ
----Microelectronics Strategy and Enterprise Group
----Semiconductor Coordination Group
----Semiconductor Operations Group
----Workforce and Equity Development Group
---Office of Advanced Manufacturing
----Office of Advanced Manufacturing - HQ
---Partnerships and Outreach Division
----Communications and Marketing Group
----Education and Workforce Development Group
----Partnership Engagement Group
----Partnerships and Outreach - HQ
----Technology Hubs Development Group
---Program Operations Division
----Competitions Group
----Institute and Program Management Group
----Performance Management Group
----Program Operations - HQ
---Strategy and Planning Division
----Analysis and Benchmarking Group
----Strategic Planning Group
----Strategy and Planning - HQ
--Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
---Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Office
----Award Process Group
----Director's Office, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
----Administrative Support/Electronic Information Group
----Outreach and Communications Group
----Publications Management Group
----Workforce Development Group
--Innovation & Industry Services
---Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services
----Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services - HQ
---Technology Partnerships Office
----Technology Partnerships Office - HQ
--Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program
---National Platforms Division
----National Platforms - HQ
----Network Knowledge Management Group
----Supply Chain Group
---National Programs Division
----National Programs- HQ
---Outreach and External Affairs Division
----Outreach and External Affairs - HQ
---Performance Evaluation and Economic Impacts Division
----Performance Evaluation and Economic Impacts - HQ
----Performance Metrics and Evaluation Group
---Network Agreements Management Division
----Network Agreements Management - HQ
----Node B Group
----Node A Group
---Internal Operations Division
----Internal Operations - HQ
---Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Office
----Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program - HQ
-Director's Office
--Director's Office
---Communications and Outreach Office
----External Stakeholder Outreach Group
----Media Relations Group
----Video Production Group
----Communications and Outreach - HQ
----Internal Communications Group
----Conference Program and Audiovisual Services Group
----Boulder Outreach Group
----Digital Content & Multimedia Design Group
---Ombuds Office
----Ombuds Office - HQ
---Program Coordination Office
----Program Coordination Office - HQ
---Director's Office
----Director's Office - HQ
---Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office
----Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office - HQ
---Management and Organization Office
----Management and Organization Office- HQ
---International and Academic Affairs Office
----International and Academic Affairs Office - HQ