Ion Storage Group

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The Ion Storage Group consists of staff physicists John Bollinger (group leader), Allison Carter, James Chin-Wen Chou, David Hume, Dietrich Leibfried, Mason Marshall, Daniel Slichter, and Andrew Wilson, along with an international group of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Our research covers a wide range of topics in experimental quantum information science and precision measurement. Please click on the pictures above for more information on these research areas, to see a listing of the group's publications, or to learn about group members and alumni.

We have a variety of research opportunities for skilled and motivated students and postdocs. Please contact us if you are interested in learning about current openings.

The Ion Storage Group was founded and led until 2017 by Dave Wineland, who received the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for the work that he and the group carried out at NIST. You can read more about Dave Wineland and the history of ion trapping at NIST here: NIST and the Nobel: Dave Wineland

News and Updates

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Spotlight: Differing Device Personalities Come Together for Future Quantum Computing Networks

April 28, 2023

We’re building the tools to trap ions and watch them glow (or not). The art-deco-esque device shown here is a combined trap for ions (charged atoms) and

Ion trap is tiny chip held in place as part of a larger metal scientific device.

Spotlight: An (Almost) Laser-Free Way to Trap Ions for Quantum Computing

September 9, 2021

Look Ma, (almost) no lasers! NIST researchers and collaborators found a potential new way to make more powerful quantum computers based on ions (charged atoms)

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NIST’s Quantum Crystal Could Be a New Dark Matter Sensor

August 5, 2021

Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have linked together, or “entangled,” the mechanical motion and electronic properties of

Illustration shows two buildings labeled "NIST" and "JILA" facing each other with mountains in the background.

NIST Team Compares 3 Top Atomic Clocks With Record Accuracy Over Both Fiber and Air

March 24, 2021

In a significant advance toward the future redefinition of the international unit of time, the second, a research team led by the National Institute of

Press Coverage

Dynamic Duo in Quantum Computing: Ion Trap Meets Single-Photon Detector

list23.com

May 10, 2023

Researchers have developed a quantum computing system that includes an ion trap and a single-photon detector. This NIST innovation has been published in Applied

Awards

2022 - Jacob Rabinow Applied Research Award---Dietrich Leibfried, Daniel Slichter, Andrew Wilson

For providing critical expertise in trapped-ion quantum information processing to industry stakeholders in support of the emerging quantum economy.

2021 - Bronze Medal Award---Chin-wen Chou, David Hume, David Leibrandt, Dietrich Leibfried, Tara Fortier, Scott Diddams, Alejandra Collopy

For breakthrough metrology to control and entangle atomic and molecular ions, providing powerful new approaches to quantum computing and networking.

2021 APS Fellow - David Leibrandt

For exceptional scientific creativity and leadership in designing and demonstrating a state-of-the-art trapped ion optical clock with the

2021 EFTF Young Scientist Award - David Leibrandt

For exceptional scientific creativity and achievement in designing and implementing state-of-the-art trapped-ion optical clocks with the