TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES 1998 -
NISTIR 6268
MISSION
ORGANIZATION
CURRENT DIRECTIONS
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
MISSION
The Division carries out a broad range of experimental and theoretical
research in atomic physics in support of emerging technologies, industrial
needs, and national science programs. Specifically, the Division:
- undertakes experimental and theoretical research on quantum processes
in atomic, molecular, and nanoscale systems, and it explores atomic
interactions in plasmas and with surfaces;
- provides measurements, standards, and data support for specific needs
in various industrial and scientific applications such as the processing of
materials by plasmas and ion beams, commercial and residential lighting,
optical materials characterization, spectrochemistry, x-ray analysis of thin
films, and fusion plasma diagnostics;
- contributes to advances in fundamental standards by atomic fountain
clock research, by studies of the Si-lattice for the unit of mass and by
refining the electromagnetic scale through the linking of standards in the
visible to others in the x-ray and gamma-ray regions;
- develops well-characterized atomic radiation sources and systems as
secondary standards for wavelength calibrations and for vacuum ultraviolet
(VUV) source radiometry;
- advances the physics of laser cooling and electromagnetic trapping and
the optical manipulation of neutral atoms using Bose condensates and optical
lattices; and
- critically evaluates and compiles spectroscopic data and creates
databases on wavelengths, energy levels, transition probabilities, and line
widths and shifts, including x-ray wavelength tables.
The Division is organized into five technical groups -- atomic spectroscopy,
quantum processes, plasma radiation, laser cooling and trapping, and quantum
metrology; and in each group several research projects are pursued. Some of
these involve collaborations with other groups, either within the Division,
with other Divisions of the Physics Laboratory, other Laboratories at NIST,
or with outside groups. The Division has about 30 professional staff
members, 7 postdocs, and about 30 longer-term (>3 months) guest
scientists and contractors.
Mission |
Organization | Current Directions | Technical Highlights | Future Directions
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES 1998
- Contents
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Online: April 1999