Our group is on the vanguard of the `second quantum revolution.' We are developing the tools to harness the counter-intuitive physics of atoms and photons. Much of our work involves ultracold atoms and related optical systems. We also study superfluids, superconductors, and quantum computers.
Our primary research focus is `ultracold atoms': dilute gases cooled to nK temperatures. These are the perfect platform for exploring collective quantum effects
At room temperatures the behavior of a gas of atoms is dominated by their random thermal motion. Averaged over time this gives simple descriptions in terms of thermodynamic variables such as Temperature and Pressure. As the temperature is lowered, this thermal motion is reduced. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle prevents the atoms from coming to a stop. Instead, at nanokelvin temperatures, quantum mechanics dictates the properties of these atomic gases. We study this strange and beautiful form of quantum matter.
