JILA PFC Homepage

Multilevel atoms on a superradiance potential "rollercoaster" inside an optical cavity. The system can be tuned to generate squeezing in a dark state where it will be immune to superradiance.
Squeezing in the Dark of a Superradiant Roller Coaster

While atomic clocks are already the most precise timekeeping devices in the universe, physicists are working hard to improve their accuracy even further. One way is by leveraging spin-squeezed states in clock atoms.…

Diagram of the experimental setup (not to scale): Photoactivation of a single molecule of bR.
Probing Proton Pumping: New Findings on Protein Folding in bacteriorhodopsin (bR)

When it comes to drug development, membrane proteins play a crucial role, with about 50% of drugs targeting these molecules. Understanding the function of these membrane proteins, which connect to the membranes of…

Atomic dipoles on a lattice interact to produce an observable spatially varying frequency shift (shown as blue to red).
Dipole-Dipole Interactions: Observing A New Clock Systematic Shift

In a new study published in Science today, JILA and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Fellow and University of Colorado…

Researchers observed the dynamic phases of BCS superconductor interactions in a Cavity QED by measuring the light leakage from the cavity.
B-C-S—Easy as I, II, III: Unveiling Dynamic Superconductivity

In physics, scientists have been fascinated by the mysterious behavior of superconductors—materials that can conduct electricity with zero resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures. Within these…

A schematic of a laser going through an AOM, which sends sound waves into a silicon cavity.
Building on JILA’s Legacy of Laser Precision

Within atomic and laser physics communities, scientist John “Jan” Hall is a key figure in the history of laser frequency stabilization and precision measurement using lasers. Hall's work revolved around understanding…

A photo of the atomic clock setup complete with the bisecting cavity.
The Tale of Two Clocks: Advancing the Precision of Timekeeping

Historically, JILA (a joint institute established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder) has been a world leader in precision timekeeping using optical…

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Major Activities

JILA PFC Partnerships

FIU logo.FIU-JILA Partnership for Research and Education in Physics: https://fiujilaprep.fiu.edu/Student-faculty exchange diagram.
 

An NSF-sponsored partnership between FIU Physics and JILA Physics Frontier Center (PFC) for research excellence and diversity in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics. Click diagram for a larger image.

Latest News

The Heising-Simons Foundation's Science program has announced a generous grant of $3 million over three years, aimed at bolstering theoretical and experimental research efforts to bridge the realms of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics with quantum gravity theories. Among the recipients, a notable grant was awarded to a multi-investigator collaboration spearheaded by the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and JILA, a joint institute of CU Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 

  

Recent Publications

Influence of Fluorescence Lifetime Selections and Conformational Flexibility on Brightness of FusionRed Variants
Mukherjee S., N. Douglas, and R. Jimenez, The Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters 15, 1644-1651 (2024).
Investigators: Ralph Jimenez
Spin squeezing with itinerant dipoles: A case for shallow lattices
Wellnitz D., M. Mamaev, T. Bilitewski, and A.M. Rey, Physical Review Research 6, (2024).
Investigators: Ana Maria Rey
Fast generation of spin squeezing via resonant spin-boson coupling
Barberena D., S.R. Muleady, R.J. Lewis-Swan, J.J. Bollinger, and A.M. Rey, Quantum Science And Technology 9, 025013 (2024).
Investigators: Ana Maria Rey
Direct comparison of two spin-squeezed optical clock ensembles at the 10^{−17} level
Robinson J.M., M. Miklos, Y.M. Tso, C.J. Kennedy, T. Bothwell, D. Kedar, J.K. Thompson, and J. Ye, Nature Physics 20, 208–213 (2024).
Investigators: James Thompson | Jun Ye
Ordered magnetic fields around the 3C 84 central black hole
Paraschos G., J.-Y. Kim, M. Wielgus, J. Dexter, and et. al, Astronomy & Astrophysics 682, "L3" (2024).
Investigators: Jason Dexter
Quantifying a light-induced energetic change in bacteriorhodopsin by force spectroscopy
Jacobson D.R., and T.T. Perkins, Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences 121, e2313818121 (2024).
Investigators: Thomas Perkins