John Bohn & Chris Greene

JILA makes major contributions to four vibrant research areas in the field of atomic and molecular physics: ultracold atoms, the control of atoms, molecules, and electrons with light, dense atomic vapors, and cold molecules. Ultracold atoms and molecules comprise novel forms of matter that form at temperatures below a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero (-459.67 °F). Many of JILA's atomic physicists create these novel substances and investigate their properties, behavior, and interactions. In the process, they learn first hand about a strange and hidden world where the laws of quantum mechanics predominate. Their ground-breaking studies are helping to redefine atomic physics, a field that has enjoyed explosive growth because of the ability of theory to accurately describe observed phenomena and give predictive support to experiments.

The Institute's research programs in optical physics and precision measurement support its atomic and molecular physics research. For example, one optical physicist is studying the fundamental interactions of light with dense atomic vapors and several groups are collaborating to develop the ultrafast lasers, high-resolution microscopy, and coherent spectroscopy required by today's atomic and molecular physicists. Together, JILA scientists are looking for answers to some of the most important questions in physics:

• How do ultracold molecules collide?
• How precisely can we measure interactions between atoms or molecules in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC)?
• How can the study of vortices in BECs help us understand atomic physics, condensed-matter physics, optical physics, and astrophysics?
• Can we control basic chemical reactions of ultracold matter?
• What is the connection between Bose-Einstein condensation and superconductivity?
• Do electrons have an electric dipole moment?
• Can we use light to manipulate and control atoms, molecules, and electrons in useful ways?
• Can an experiment mimic a natural chemical or biological system's ability to select the optimal optical waveform to enhance a particular process?
• Can laser spectroscopy be refined sufficiently to detect biological hazards such as single anthrax spores?