QUANTUM PHYSICS DIVISION (Boulder, CO) J. Faller, Chief Tel 303 492 6807 Fax 303 492 5235

The Quantum Physics Division is the unit through which NIST participates in JILA a cooperative enterprise with the University of Colorado. The Division conducts research in atomic and chemical physics, precision measurement (including astrophysics, geophysics, and gravitational physics), and laser and optical physics. The Quantum Physics Division supports the U.S. economy by working with industry and academe to advance the frontiers of measurement science and commercialize the results of its endeavors.

Major programs

• Develop the laser as a precision measurement tool

• Determine fundamental constants and test the fundamental postulates of physics

• Exploit Bose-Einstein condensation for metrology and low temperature physics

• Devise new ways to direct and control atoms and molecules

• Characterize chemical processes and their interactions with nanostructures

Collaborations with industry

• Improvement of design of external laser stabilizers

• Testing of methodology for measuring and characterizing beams from practical laser sources

• Development of more efficient mercury-free fluorescent lamps

• Development of portable gravity apparatus for geophysical resource exploration

• Improving application of amorphous silicon for solar voltaics, displays, and sensing

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Online: November 1994   -   Last update: August 2001