PFC Research Areas
Among the most fundamental, important and complex questions in quantum physics is how many-body interactions can give rise to the remarkable properties of strongly correlated quantum systems relevant across different disciplines ranging from quantum materials to quarks and gluons in nuclei, to neutron stars.
Taking advantage of our Center's expertise in preparing and controlling quantum matter using state-of-the-art light sources we focus on the understanding and manipulation of interactions between quantum particles to synergistically advance ultracold atomic and molecular optical systems, quantum defects in solids and 1D/2D materials and jointly shed light on the complex behaviors of strongly correlated many-body quantum matter. We develop a research effort where for the first time our experiments in solid state materials meet our ultracold gases experiments and inform each other to push the frontier of material sciences.
Specific topics in this major research activity include:
- Microscopy of the low-temperature Fermi-Hubbard model
- Exotic magnetism in the two-orbital SU(N) Fermi-Hubbard model
- Many-body interactions in 1D and 2D quantum materials
- Emergent many-body quantum behaviors from power-law interactions
- Collective spin models via photon mediated interactions
The interaction of light and matter plays a major role in AMO physics. Our ability to harness and extract information from increasingly complex and interacting systems, ranging from atoms to molecules to real materials is often driven by our capacity to tailor light and develop specialized sources of light. On the other hand, advancing light sources itself is a scientific task that requires utmost control of atoms, molecules, collective states of atoms, and solid-state environments.
To this end, we develop, generate and apply light sources across a broad spectral range. We explore methods to generate classical laser light at photon energies in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectral region, outside the range that is accessible with conventional laser technology, and we also learn how to make light sources that are increasingly complex in their quantum state. ÌýFurthermore, we seek to understand the prospects for utilizing classical and quantum light sources in systems extending all the way to biophysical environments. With the advancements of each of these light source developments we will focus on the application to specific challenges.
Specific topics in this major research activity include:
- Frequency comb vacuum ultraviolet light sources for a nuclear-referenced clock
- Non-classical absorption with entangled photon pairs
- Tailoring propagating quantum states
The frontier on the comprehension and control of quantum states continuously develops towards increasingly more complex systems. Having a diverse set of expertise, we see molecules as a fascinating example of at least potentially tractable quantum complexity.
We advance powerful experimental capabilities in molecular cooling, molecular trapping, low temperature chemistry techniques and also frequency combs in key wavelength ranges to promote the field of molecular physics into new directions. The projects in this research direction have key features in common: they have technical and scientific synergies with the other major activities in the JILA-PFC, and with each other, and they are strategically situated at the boundary regions between fully understandable and impossibly complex.
Specific topics in this major research activity include:
- Metal-oxide clusters in external fields
- Cryogenic ion spectroscopy of lanthanide complexes
- Electron electric dipole moment (eEDM)
- Ultracold lanthanide dimers
- Structure and dynamics of the Buckminsterfullerene molecule
- Highest phase space density of directly laser-cooled molecules
MA-X encompasses an essential philosophy of the JILA-PFC to explore and pursue synergistic research opportunities. ÌýCenter investigators will be keenly alert to opportunities to exchange interesting ideas and technologies between our three core activities and newly inspired projects outside the central focus of the Center.
In this small set of projects our focus is outward looking, work designed to explore intellectual and technological broader impact and conversely to let the societal or science-beyond-physics needs eventually influence our research. Each of the projects (i) has significant overlap with activities and competences within our more central major activities, (ii) has strong potential for impacts beyond the central intellectual foci of the JILA-PFC, and (iii) has prospects for bringing ideas, needs, viewpoints from the broader world, with the goal over time of modifying our core activities as well. Ìý
Specific topics in this major research activity include:
- Comb spectroscopy for breath analysis
- Single-photon measurements of bioluminescence reactions
- Generation of bright, structured, vacuum and extreme UV light
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Our Sponsor: The National Science Foundation (NSF)
Physics Frontiers Centers (PFCs)
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.Ìý.