Laser Cooling and Trapping Group

News and Updates

Updates to Fundamental Constants Reflect Redefinition of International System of Units

December 16, 2021

The CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants recently produced its 2018 update of a self-consistent set of internationally recommended values of the basic

Latest Values of Fundamental Constants Published

July 13, 2021

Four scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have reported the latest values for the fundamental constants of nature on June

Bringing Atoms to a Standstill: NIST Miniaturizes Laser Cooling

January 21, 2021

It’s cool to be small. Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have miniaturized the optical components required to cool atoms

A New Playbook for Interference

December 17, 2019

Particles can sometimes act like waves, and photons (particles of light) are no exception. Just as waves create an interference pattern, like ripples on a pond

Projects by Staff Members

Select one of the Staff Members below to obtain background information regarding their research interests.

Gretchen K. Campbell
Charles W. Clark
Paul D. Lett
William D. Phillips
James (Trey) Porto
Ian Spielman
Eite Tiesinga

Projects and Programs

Cold-atom-based sensor for measuring pressure in the ultra-high vacuum domain

Ongoing

NIST is building a cold-atom vacuum sensor (CAVS) that will be able to measure pressures in the ultra-high vacuum (UHV) regime corresponding to pressures less

Controlling collisions between laser-cooled atoms using magnetic fields and nano-eV colliders

Ongoing

We investigate collisions of atoms in either micro-Kelvin gasses or in nano-colliders, where two small atomic clouds are made to collide with adjustable energy

Fundamental Constants in Nature

Ongoing

We are involved in efforts to collate data on precision measurements and the theoretical description of these measurements with the aim to improve the values of

Quantum Computation and Simulation with Neutral Atoms

Ongoing

Quantum information processing seeks to use the features of quantum physics to accomplish otherwise intractable computational tasks. The two main thrusts of

Quantum Nonlinear Optics for Metrology and Networking

Ongoing

Quantum nonlinear optics provides a means to generate and manipulate light at the quantum level, with applications in enhanced sensing and metrology, and in

Spinor Condensates and Ultracold Collisions

Ongoing

Interactions between cold atoms can provide us with the means to manipulate matter on the smallest scales. Collisions between laser-cooled atoms, in particular

Publications

CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2018

January 10, 2022

Author(s)

Eite Tiesinga, Peter J. Mohr, David B. Newell, Barry N. Taylor

We report the 2018 self-consistent values of constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry recommended by the Committee on Data of the International

Roaming pathways and survival probability in real-time collisional dynamics of cold and controlled bialkali molecules

January 10, 2022

Author(s)

Eite Tiesinga, Jacek Klos, Qingze Guan, Hui Li, Ming Li, Svetlana Kotochigova

Relativistic aspects of orbital and magnetic anisotropies in the chemical bonding and structure of lanthanide molecules

December 3, 2021

Author(s)

Eite Tiesinga, Jacek Klos, Ming Li, Alexander Petrov, Svetlana Kotochigova

The electronic structure of magnetic lanthanide atoms is fascinating from a fundamental perspective. They have electrons in a submerged open 4f shell lying

Self-Bayesian Aberration Removal via Constraints for Ultracold Atom Microscopy

October 29, 2021

Author(s)

Ian Spielman, Emine Altuntas

High-resolution imaging of ultracold atoms typically requires custom high numerical aperture (NA) optics, as is the case for quantum gas microscopy. These high

Awards

2020 - Arthur S. Flemming Award---William Phillips, Ian Coddington, Andrew Ludlow

The Arthur S. Flemming Award was established in 1948 to honor outstanding federal employees for unusually meritorious work.

2019/2020 George A. Snow Memorial Award - Gretchen Campbell

For her work on the Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP). About Dr. George A. Snow: Throughout his tenure at the

2020 Arthur S. Flemming Katharine B. Gebbie Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Federal Service – William D. Phillips

In addition to the Arthur S. Flemming awards given annually to midcareer federal employees, William D. Phillips, a physicist in NIST’s

2019 - Presidential Rank Award---Ian Spielman

For his pioneering work and leadership in developing quantum simulation techniques to investigate natural phenomena too complex for traditional mathematical computation.

Laser Cooling and Trapping Group

News and Updates

Updates to Fundamental Constants Reflect Redefinition of International System of Units

Latest Values of Fundamental Constants Published

Bringing Atoms to a Standstill: NIST Miniaturizes Laser Cooling

A New Playbook for Interference

Projects by Staff Members

Projects and Programs

Cold-atom-based sensor for measuring pressure in the ultra-high vacuum domain

Controlling collisions between laser-cooled atoms using magnetic fields and nano-eV colliders

Fundamental Constants in Nature

Quantum Computation and Simulation with Neutral Atoms

Quantum Nonlinear Optics for Metrology and Networking

Spinor Condensates and Ultracold Collisions

Publications

CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2018

Roaming pathways and survival probability in real-time collisional dynamics of cold and controlled bialkali molecules

Relativistic aspects of orbital and magnetic anisotropies in the chemical bonding and structure of lanthanide molecules

Self-Bayesian Aberration Removal via Constraints for Ultracold Atom Microscopy

Awards

2020 - Arthur S. Flemming Award---William Phillips, Ian Coddington, Andrew Ludlow

2019/2020 George A. Snow Memorial Award - Gretchen Campbell

2020 Arthur S. Flemming Katharine B. Gebbie Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Federal Service – William D. Phillips

2019 - Presidential Rank Award---Ian Spielman

Contacts

Group Leader