Adam Kaufman

Google Quantum AI Engages JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to Lead New Neutral Atom Quantum Computing Effort

Steven Burrows — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:12:02 +0000

Google Quantum AI Engages JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to Lead New Neutral Atom Quantum Computing Effort Steven Burrows Tue, 03/24/2026 - 13:12

Steven Burrows / JILA Science Communications Manager

Adam Kaufman (left) inspects an optical atomic clock at JILA on the University of Colorado campus with students Nelson Darkwah Oppong, Alec Cao and Theo Lukin Yelin. (Image Credit: Patrick Campbell, University of Colorado)

Today, Google Quantum AI announced a major expansion of its quantum computing research program, naming JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead a newly formed neutral atom quantum hardware team. The initiative marks Google’s first large-scale investment in neutral atom quantum computing, a rapidly advancing platform that complements its long‑standing work in superconducting qubits.

Kaufman, an internationally recognized leader in neutral atom physics, will continue his research at JILA as a JILA Fellow while maintaining his academic appointment in the Department of Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder. According to The Colorado Sun, Kaufman’s dual role reflects Google’s strategy of closely integrating industrial-scale engineering with cutting-edge academic research, particularly in Boulder’s growing quantum ecosystem.

In announcing the program, Google emphasized that neutral atom quantum processors offer unique advantages, including the ability to scale to very large arrays—currently on the order of thousands to tens of thousands of qubits—with highly flexible, “any‑to‑any” connectivity. While neutral atom systems operate more slowly than superconducting circuits, their scalability in qubit number makes them especially promising for quantum simulation and fault‑tolerant architectures. Google views the parallel development of both platforms as a way to accelerate progress toward commercially useful quantum computers.

This new collaboration further strengthens JILA’s national and international leadership in quantum science, building on its major federally funded research centers and broad portfolio of competitive grants. By bridging foundational research and industrial-scale quantum engineering, the partnership underscores JILA’s central role in shaping the future of quantum technology.

Please join us in congratulating Adam Kaufman on this exciting opportunity and on his continued contributions to JILA, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, and the global quantum research community.

Learn more:

The Colorado Sun: Google taps Boulder physicist to lead new quantum computing effort
Google Quantum AI Blog: Building superconducting and neutral atom quantum computers

Google Quantum AI has named JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead a new neutral atom quantum computing hardware team, marking a major expansion of its quantum research program. Kaufman will continue his research at JILA and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, strengthening JILA’s leadership and impact in national and international quantum science.

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High-fidelity gates and creation of entangled states in Yb171 nuclear-spin qubits

Steven Burrows — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:17:50 +0000

High-fidelity gates and creation of entangled states in Yb171 nuclear-spin qubits Steven Burrows Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:17

Our paper on preparing entangled states in Yb171 has been accepted in Nature physics! Congratulations to the team! We show high-fidelity gates in the metastable qubit, high-fidelity three-outcome measurements, and coherent mapping of entangled states between the Rydberg, nuclear, and optical qubits. This work suggests several new directions, including in quantum error correction, hybrid digital-analog quantum simulations, and quantum metrology.

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New proposal for using quantum error correction in metrology

Steven Burrows — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:16:31 +0000

New proposal for using quantum error correction in metrology Steven Burrows Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:16

In quantum metrology, it has been considered for some time whether quantum error correction can be used to enhance precision measurements. Here, the primary challenge is devising codes ad protocols that correct noise while not correcting the unknown signal being sensed. In this collaboration with the Pichler, we identify some promising conditions for leveraging quantum error correction for enhanced sensing, even when signal and noise couple identically to sensor qubits.

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Assembling a superfluid from individual atoms

Steven Burrows — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:14:16 +0000

Assembling a superfluid from individual atoms Steven Burrows Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:14

Since it was first proposed in 2004 by David Weiss and Maxim Olshanii, it has been a goal to see whether atomic rearrangement and high-fidelity ground-state laser cooling could employed to prepare superfluids and low-entropy many-body states of itinerant matter. In this work, we demonstrate such a protocol, opening a new path to assembling ground-state many-body state of bosonic and fermionic quantum systems.

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JILA Joins DOE’s Quantum Systems Accelerator for Next Phase of Quantum Innovation

Steven Burrows — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:18:36 +0000

JILA Joins DOE’s Quantum Systems Accelerator for Next Phase of Quantum Innovation Steven Burrows Tue, 11/04/2025 - 12:18

Steven Burrows / JILA Science Communications Manager

A round glass cell (centre, in black frame) is designed to hold a gas of molecules cooled to 50 billionths of a Kelvin. Credit: Ye Group/Steven Burrows/JILA

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $625 million investment to advance the next phase of the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, a cornerstone of the National Quantum Initiative. This funding will support five centers dedicated to accelerating quantum technologies that promise transformative impacts on science, industry, and national security.

Among these centers, the Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA)—led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory—will continue its mission to develop practical quantum systems that can solve real-world problems. QSA brings together leading institutions to tackle challenges in quantum computing, sensing, and networking, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advances and deployable technologies.

JILA is proud to remain a key partner in QSA through the Q-SEnSE Institute, which focuses on quantum sensing and precision measurement. These capabilities are essential for applications ranging from navigation and timing to probing fundamental physics. JILA Fellow Jun Ye will lead the JILA effort, supported by senior investigators and JILA Fellows Cindy Regal, Adam Kaufman, Ana Maria Rey, James Thompson, Murray Holland, and Xun Gao—a team internationally recognized for pioneering work in quantum optics, atomic physics, and many-body systems.

“JILA is proud to remain a key partner in QSA. Through our work in both QSA and Q-SEnSE, JILA plays a leading role in advancing quantum innovations at the national and international levels,” remarked Inese Berzina-Pitcher, Executive Director for Q-SEnSE.

The next five years of QSA will focus on building scalable quantum platforms, advancing error correction, and integrating quantum devices into scientific workflows. JILA’s expertise in ultracold atoms, optical lattices, and quantum simulation will play a critical role in these goals.

For more details, read the official announcements:

Energy Department Announces $625 Million to Advance the Next Phase of National Quantum Information Science Research Centers

The Quantum Systems Accelerator Embarks on Next Five Years of Pioneering Quantum Technologies for Science

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Cryogenic optical tweezer array

Steven Burrows — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:39:20 +0000

Cryogenic optical tweezer array Steven Burrows Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:39

Our work on high optical access cryogenic system for Rydberg atoms has been published in PRX Quantum - see this viewpoint on our studies.

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Enhanced Rydberg dressing paper published!

Steven Burrows — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:32:36 +0000

Enhanced Rydberg dressing paper published! Steven Burrows Sun, 04/27/2025 - 11:32

We used features of alkaline-earth atoms to enhance the timescale coherent many-body physics using Rydberg-dressing, which enables studies of quantum magnetism and the creation of metrologically-useful entanglement. See the paper here.

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics Professor Adam Kaufman Honored with Prestigious PECASE Award

Steven Burrows — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:26:52 +0000

JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics Professor Adam Kaufman Honored with Prestigious PECASE Award Steven Burrows Tue, 01/14/2025 - 10:26

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry / JILA Science Communicator

JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics professor Adam Kaufman. Image credit: Kenna Hughes-Castleberry / JILA

JILA Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physicist and University of Colorado Boulder physics professor Dr. Adam Kaufman has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). President Joe Biden announced that this accolade represents the highest honor conferred by the U.S. government to early-career scientists and engineers who exhibit extraordinary potential and leadership in their respective fields. Kaufman’s groundbreaking contributions to quantum science have cemented his place among nearly 400 recipients recognized for their innovative research and commitment to advancing scientific frontiers.

“I feel very honored to receive the PECASE in recognition of my group’s work over the past several years,” Kaufman says. “I am also very appreciative of the unique environment at JILA, from administrative to shop support, that enables so much of our research.”

Established by President Clinton in 1996, the PECASE award celebrates early-career professionals whose work bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and societal impact. This year’s awardees, supported by 14 federal agencies, represent the vanguard of scientific and technological progress, tackling challenges in diverse fields such as agriculture, defense, healthcare, energy, and space exploration.

President Biden emphasized the critical role of science and technology in shaping a brighter future, citing legislative initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act as testaments to the Administration’s commitment to bolstering research and development.

Kaufman’s pioneering work addresses fundamental questions about quantum systems and their interplay with classical physics. His research focuses on developing tools to manipulate individual particles—such as complex atoms, ions, or molecules—whose interactions and internal dynamics open new horizons for quantum simulation, quantum information, and precision metrology.

Kaufman's lab has achieved unprecedented single-particle control at microscopic scales by combining optical tweezer technology with high-precision spectroscopy and quantum gas microscopy. His groundbreaking 2018 demonstration of trapping single alkaline-earth atoms in optical tweezer arrays has since paved the way for transformative advances in quantum science.

“Dr. Kaufman is a pioneer in the science of optical-tweezer arrays, in which he holds and precisely manipulates individual atoms with beams of light,” states Dr. Andrew Wilson, Acting Director of the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). “The major contributions that he and his team are making within NIST and JILA are advancing the goals of the U.S. National Quantum Initiative and are being used in a great many applications, ranging from fundamental science to commercial product development. This honor is a wonderful recognition for his outstanding scientific achievements.”

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist Adam Kaufman Combines Multiple Atomic Clocks into One System

Steven Burrows — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:23:55 +0000

JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist Adam Kaufman Combines Multiple Atomic Clocks into One System Steven Burrows Wed, 10/09/2024 - 13:23

Daniel Strain / ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Strategic Communications

JILA Fellow and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Physicist and University of Colorado Boulder Physics professor Adam Kaufman and his team have ventured into the minuscule realms of atoms and electrons. Their research involves creating an advanced optical atomic clock using a lattice of strontium atoms, enhanced by quantum entanglement—a phenomenon that binds the fate of particles together. This ambitious project could revolutionize timekeeping, potentially surpassing the "standard quantum limit" of precision.

In collaboration with JILA and NIST Fellow Jun Ye, the team highlighted their findings in Nature, demonstrating how their clock, operating under certain conditions, could exceed conventional accuracy benchmarks. Their work advances timekeeping and opens doors to new quantum technologies, such as precise environmental sensors.

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JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman Awarded Prestigious Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grant

Steven Burrows — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:05:00 +0000

JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman Awarded Prestigious Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grant Steven Burrows Wed, 08/21/2024 - 13:05

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry / JILA Science Communicator

JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics professor Adam Kaufman. Image credit: Kenna Hughes-Castleberry / JILA

Adam Kaufman, a JILA Fellow, NIST Physicist, and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics Professor, has been awarded part of a $1.25 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for its third annual cohort of Experimental Physics Investigators. This prestigious five-year grant will support Kaufman's innovative research on many-electron systems, mainly using ultracold atoms in optical lattices to simulate the Hubbard model—a fundamental framework for understanding complex phenomena like superconductivity and magnetism.

Kaufman’s work, which involves novel chamber designs, cryogenics, and advanced cooling methods, aims to push the boundaries of physics by exploring new phases of matter and advancing the theoretical understanding of materials. The grant recognizes Kaufman’s potential to open new frontiers in experimental physics and contribute to developing novel materials with groundbreaking efficiency properties.

See the full list of awardees on the Moore Foundation's website.

Adam Kaufman, a JILA Fellow, NIST Physicist, and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics Professor, has been awarded part of a $1.25 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation as part of its third annual cohort of Experimental Physics Investigators.

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Adam Kaufman

Google Quantum AI Engages JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to Lead New Neutral Atom Quantum Computing Effort

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High-fidelity gates and creation of entangled states in Yb171 nuclear-spin qubits

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New proposal for using quantum error correction in metrology

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Assembling a superfluid from individual atoms

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JILA Joins DOE’s Quantum Systems Accelerator for Next Phase of Quantum Innovation

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Cryogenic optical tweezer array

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Enhanced Rydberg dressing paper published!

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Physics Professor Adam Kaufman Honored with Prestigious PECASE Award

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist Adam Kaufman Combines Multiple Atomic Clocks into One System

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JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman Awarded Prestigious Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grant

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics Professor Adam Kaufman Honored with Prestigious PECASE Award