/physics/ en /physics/2026/03/25/professor-and-jila-fellow-adam-kaufman-lead-google-ais-neutral-atom-quantum-hardware <span>Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead Google AI's neutral atom quantum hardware team</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-25T08:52:27-06:00" title="Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - 08:52">Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:52</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/kaufman_lab_photo_shoot_pc0391-1-2-scaled.jpg?h=b1b2a2d1&amp;itok=i8kESH7u" width="1200" height="800" alt="Adam Kaufman inspects an optical atomic clock at JILA on the University of Colorado campus with students Nelson Darkwah Oppong, Alec Cao and Theo Lukin Yelin"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/732" hreflang="en">Adam Kaufman</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Today, Google Quantum AI announced a major expansion of its quantum computing research program, naming Professor and 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.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/google-quantum-ai-engages-jila-fellow-adam-kaufman-lead-new-neutral-atom-quantum`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:52:27 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2538 at /physics /physics/2026/03/25/cu-boulder-physics-ranks-highly-qs-world-university-subject-rankings <span>�鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder physics ranks highly in QS World University subject rankings</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-25T08:48:45-06:00" title="Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - 08:48">Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:48</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/aerial.jpg?h=08b866d1&amp;itok=UJcFTQ19" width="1200" height="800" alt="Aerial view of �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder campus with flat irons in background"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>In the latest edition of the World University Rankings by Subject from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder physics and astronomy ranked No. 21 in the nation – and No. 10 among public institutions in the U.S. The rankings are based on surveys of reputation in the subject area among academics and recruiters of graduates, and on citations to research articles. </div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2026/03/25/cu-boulder-highly-rated-qs-world-university-subject-rankings`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:48:45 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2539 at /physics /physics/2026/03/18/project-led-prof-ivy-tan-harnesses-next-generation-satellites-preserve-arctic-sea-ice <span>Project led by Prof. Ivy Tan harnesses next-generation satellites to preserve Arctic sea ice</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-18T09:52:51-06:00" title="Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 09:52">Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:52</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/Arctic%20sea%20ice%20thumbnail.jpg?h=10d202d3&amp;itok=3fpKbIci" width="1200" height="800" alt="Arctic sea ice"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/739" hreflang="en">Ivy Tan</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Ivy Tan, a �鶹��Ѱ����� assistant professor of physics, recently was awarded funding from Ocean Visions for a project she leads that is assessing whether mixed-phase cloud thinning is a viable method for cooling the Arctic and restoring sea ice.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/asmagazine/2026/03/17/project-harnesses-next-generation-satellites-preserve-arctic-sea-ice`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:52:51 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2537 at /physics /physics/2026/03/13/new-vacuum-ultraviolet-laser-may-improve-nanotechnology-power-nuclear-clocks <span>New 'vacuum ultraviolet' laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-13T09:10:34-06:00" title="Friday, March 13, 2026 - 09:10">Fri, 03/13/2026 - 09:10</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/kapteyn_murnane.png?h=b5d237ba&amp;itok=1cshiI3y" width="1200" height="800" alt="Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn in their lab"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/358" hreflang="en">Henry Kapteyn</a> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Margaret Murnane</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>A new kind of laser developed by Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn's research group could pave the way for practical nuclear clocks—devices that measure time with incredible precision by measuring the "ticking" of thorium atoms.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2026/03/11/new-vacuum-ultraviolet-laser-may-improve-nanotechnology-power-nuclear-clocks`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:10:34 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2536 at /physics /physics/2026/03/03/2026-cu-prep-research-faculty-receive-outstanding-research-and-service-awards <span>2026 �鶹��Ѱ�����PREP Research Faculty Receive Outstanding Research and Service Awards</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-03T10:07:38-07:00" title="Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - 10:07">Tue, 03/03/2026 - 10:07</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/CU%20PREP%202026%20Awards.png?h=ca4a238c&amp;itok=9xooGW21" width="1200" height="800" alt="Portraits of the 2026 �鶹��Ѱ�����PREP Award recipients"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Nine �鶹��Ѱ�����PREP research faculty have been honored with Department of Physics Awards for Outstanding Research and Service, recognizing their exceptional scientific achievements and their meaningful service to our community.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/program/cuprep/2026/03/02/cu-prep-research-faculty-receive-outstanding-research-and-service-awards`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:07:38 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2534 at /physics /physics/2026/02/24/prof-dana-anderson-celebrates-landmark-milestone-infleqtion-goes-public-new-york-stock <span>Prof. Dana Anderson Celebrates Landmark Milestone as Infleqtion Goes Public on the New York Stock Exchange</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-24T11:08:54-07:00" title="Tuesday, February 24, 2026 - 11:08">Tue, 02/24/2026 - 11:08</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/infleqtion_openingbell-scaled.jpg.optimal.jpg?h=b2031e22&amp;itok=DHepIVe8" width="1200" height="800" alt="Members of Infleqtion's team gathered at the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/639" hreflang="en">Dana Anderson</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Infleqtion, the quantum technology company founded by Physics Professor and JILA Fellow Dana Anderson, has officially gone public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Infleqtion began trading under the ticker symbol INFQ on February 17, 2026, marking a historic moment for both the company and the broader quantum technology community. </div> <script> window.location.href = `https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/jila-fellow-dana-anderson-celebrates-landmark-milestone-infleqtion-goes-public-new`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:08:54 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2531 at /physics /physics/2026/02/23/researchers-build-ultra-efficient-optical-sensors-shrinking-light-chip <span>Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-23T14:23:09-07:00" title="Monday, February 23, 2026 - 14:23">Mon, 02/23/2026 - 14:23</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/COSINC_Cleanroom_0.jpeg?h=10d202d3&amp;itok=EQ0FFD2u" width="1200" height="800" alt="The COSINC cleanroom"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>A team of electrical engineering and physics researchers at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder have built high-performing optical micro-resonators, opening the door for new sensor technologies.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/ecee/researchers-build-ultra-efficient-optical-sensors-shrinking-light-chip`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:23:09 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2532 at /physics /physics/2026/02/19/scholar-discovers-her-passion-right-time <span>Scholar discovers her passion, right on time</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-19T08:15:08-07:00" title="Thursday, February 19, 2026 - 08:15">Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:15</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/Megan%20Thompson.jpg?h=881e13fa&amp;itok=xWdTUxDm" width="1200" height="800" alt="Megan Thompson"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>How �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder physics and math senior Megan Thompson found her calling in precision time measurement and the mentors who helped guide her path.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/program/quantum-scholars/2026/02/19/scholar-discovers-her-passion-right-time`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:15:08 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2529 at /physics /physics/2026/02/11/dana-anderson-elected-national-academy-engineering <span>Dana Anderson Elected to the National Academy of Engineering</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-11T10:05:01-07:00" title="Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - 10:05">Wed, 02/11/2026 - 10:05</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/dana-z.-anderson-862x1024.jpg?h=18daa330&amp;itok=ceMJuW3A" width="1200" height="800" alt="Dana Anderson"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/639" hreflang="en">Dana Anderson</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Professor Dana Anderson has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. As a pioneering figure in optical quantum engineering of ultracold atoms, Anderson has long been at the forefront of translating laboratory science into real-world impact.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/dana-anderson-elected-national-academy-engineering`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:05:01 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2526 at /physics /physics/2026/02/11/physics-education-postdoc-awarded-prestigious-fellowship-ai-research <span>Physics education postdoc awarded prestigious fellowship for AI research</span> <span><span>Kirsten Apodaca</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-11T08:00:09-07:00" title="Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - 08:00">Wed, 02/11/2026 - 08:00</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/David%20Perl-Nussbaum.jpg?h=b5d13d59&amp;itok=f72PeNu-" width="1200" height="800" alt="David Perl-Nussbaum"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/physics/taxonomy/term/122"> News </a> </div> <a href="/physics/kirsten-apodaca">Kirsten Apodaca</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/physics/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2026-02/David%20Perl-Nussbaum.jpg?itok=htuIf12b" width="375" height="355" alt="David Perl-Nussbaum"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>David Perl-Nussbaum</p> </span> </div> <p><span lang="EN-US">David Perl-Nussbaum, a postdoctoral research fellow in physics education research, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) to conduct research on artificial intelligence-generated computational models in physics education at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Perl-Nussbaum studies how higher ed institutions can adapt to AI responsibly. His research spans multiple angles from how faculty adapt their instructional methods, to students navigating AI-based learning tools, to the broader institutional efforts to develop policy and infrastructure around AI use.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">To Perl-Nussbaum, receiving the fellowship represents recognition of his contributions to physics education research at a critical time when AI is reshaping teaching and learning. He works alongside Noah Finkelstein, a distinguished professor of physics in the physics education research group.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“The </span><a href="/per/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Physics Education Research group</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> has led impactful and, most importantly, sustainable educational reforms (e.g. </span><a href="/sei/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">the Science Education Initiative</span></a><span lang="EN-US">),” says Perl-Nussbaum. “I am eager to collaborate with Professor Noah Finkelstein in this endeavor, sharing the belief that educational change should be informed by research and driven by genuine commitment to student learning.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Perl-Nussbaum completed his PhD in physics education in 2025 at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where he was awarded the Elchanan E. Bondi Prize for Outstanding PhD Students. Weizmann’s Department of Science Teaching granted him a one-year fellowship to conduct research at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder, and the new ISF fellowship extends that work for an additional year.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">“This extended timeline is crucial for developing impactful research projects and establishing long-lasting collaborations that will continue beyond my time at CU,” says Perl-Nussbaum.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Emphasizing the holistic nature of this research, Finkelstein says, “David is working on the future of education. Not only is he designing next-generation tools and practices to support learners, but he’s also developing and studying practices to support faculty in the use of these tools.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">Finkelstein adds, “this is a remarkably prestigious fellowship, and we are grateful David has joined one of the leading research groups in physics education, here in Boulder.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>David Perl-Nussbaum, a postdoctoral research fellow in physics education research, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship to conduct research on artificial intelligence-generated computational models in physics education at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:00:09 +0000 Kirsten Apodaca 2528 at /physics