An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physics Laboratory Fiscal Year 2010 (2010) / Chapter Skim
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6 Quantum Physics Division
6 Quantum Physics Division
Pages 43-53
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From page 43... ...
The strategic elements of the Quantum Physics Division are as follows: To develop measurement science tools and their applications to technology; To exploit Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum degenerate Fermi gases, and cold molecules for metrology and ultralow-temperature physics; To advance ultrafast science and apply it to physics and biophysics; To apply cutting-edge measurement science to biological systems; To apply laser spectroscopy to important problems in chemical physics and biophysics; and To educate a supply of top-quality scientists for NIST and elsewhere. PROJECTS Essentially all of the research projects pursued by the Quantum Physics Division are very well conceived and conducted, and proven to be relevant to and enhancing of the stated mission of the Physics Laboratory and NIST.
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From page 44... ...
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds are being used to purchase a new state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system; a new state-ofthe-art atomic force microscope; and a new state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a resolution of 1.0 nm, imaging voltages from 200 V to 30,000 V, a precision stage with five-axis motion control, and capability for electron beam lithography (EBL)
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From page 45... ...
The planned JILA expansion should help solve the problem with lack of space overall, and should resolve the environmental problems for those fortunate enough to move into the new laboratories. However, the new building creates two pressing needs for funding, namely: Costs of moving complex laboratories into the newly constructed space, and Renovations of the existing laboratories to bring them up to current standards -- especially urgent because it is easier to renovate the laboratories vacated by the move before staff moves back in.
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From page 46... ...
to come on sabbatical and work with us in our labs -- this has a superbly nonlinear impact on how quickly science proceeds and evolves into exciting new areas at JILA and should be supported as best as one can." That comment suggests that this aspect of the success of the Quantum Physics Division is being neglected. MAJOR PROJECTS Ultracold Atoms and Molecules In the area of ultracold atoms and molecules, a dramatic experiment has converted highly interacting pair states of colliding cold atoms into polar molecules in their lowest bound state by removing the appropriate energy with an optical Raman process.
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From page 47... ...
Current work in the Quantum Physics Division applies the frequency comb technique to a new atomic clock system composed of an optical lattice of laser-cooled strontium atoms. This novel optical clock features a large number of atoms responding identically, thus providing the precision of a single atom with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.
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From page 48... ...
Laser Spectroscopy Kinetics and Dynamics of Organic Molecular and Nanoparticle Systems The area of laser spectroscopy kinetics and dynamics of organic molecular and nanoparticle systems involves ultrashort, femtosecond laser pulse interactions with matter and has a close connection with chemistry and biological physics that is described below. The techniques determine basic chemical-reaction dynamics by means of laser spectroscopy of jet-cooled molecular ions and radicals, intermolecular energy surfaces, and low-temperature radical and ion dynamics.
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From page 49... ...
Finally, an outstanding example of the cross-fertilization of technologies developed at JILA for the core mission of the development of measurement science tools is the extension of John Hall's Nobel Prize-winning work on optical combs to another researcher's application of this technology to biomolecule detection. This research group invented cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy, and it has shown that it can perform ultrasensitive detection of unknown chemicals.
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From page 50... ...
However, there are severe financial pressures being exerted on the division that must be addressed, as noted above. Assessment Relative to Achievement of Stated Objectives and Desired Impact The impact of the Quantum Physics Division is outstanding as measured against its stated goal and mission of making important advances at the frontiers of science that enable future precision measurement technology and in producing graduates that form a talented pool of scientists who are now dispersed throughout the NIST laboratories and elsewhere.
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From page 51... ...
The existing SEM available to the Quantum Physics Division at JILA was evaluated not as state of the art, and it was proposed by the panel that JILA needed in-house a very high quality SEM for the imaging of the nanostructures and to do nanolithography. The response of the division: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for NIST equipment purchases includes funding for a new, state-of the-art scanning electron microscope with resolution of 1.0 nm, imaging voltages from 200 V to 30,000 V, precision stage with five-axis motion control, and capability for electron beam lithography.
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From page 52... ...
The panel concluded that it was critical for the Quantum Physics Division that funding for the new JILA building be provided; the lack of space was detrimental to productivity, created potentially unsafe working conditions, and could affect the ability to attract and hire top-class scientists in the future. This was to be considered a top-priority item for this division.
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From page 53... ...
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics and biological physics should not continue to expand, but rather the Quantum Physics Division should maintain the present levels of excellence in its present fields of endeavor. Recommendations It is recommended that the Physics Laboratory should continue a high level of funding for the Quantum Physics Division, renovate the laboratories in the old building, increase the number of visiting fellows by shortening visits for one or two weeks, and seek both established experts and highly talented young researchers (e.g., postdoctoral researchers)
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