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The ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥bit Quantum Initiative today welcomed the first four strategic industry allies to formally join as ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥bit Innovation Partners: Atom Computing, ColdQuanta, Meadowlark Optics and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.

New experiments at JILA, recently published in Nature, allow physicists to study time dilation at the smallest scale ever, suggesting how to make atomic clocks 50 times more precise than today’s best designs—and offering a route to perhaps revealing how relativity and gravity interact with quantum mechanics.

Bethany Wilcox, assistant professor of physics, has won $745K in support of a project to develop tools that can be used to improve teaching of quantum mechanics. Additionally, Assistant Professor Andrew Lucas won $500K in support of a project to predict new kinds of fluids that can exist in nature.

Created by NIST Boulder in 1991, the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) provides valuable lab experience and financial assistance to undergrad, graduate and post-graduate students. Fellowships are awarded to assure continued growth and progress of science and engineering in the U.S.

ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder Physics grad James Kellogg has extensive experience in the development of cold atom physics systems, the fastest growing area of quantum physics, and is the lead scientist for the integration of the Cold Atom Lab into launch vehicles and the International Space Station (ISS).

Last month, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse got a first-hand look at the future of ultrafast lasers, record-setting clocks and quantum computers when he toured facilities at JILA, a research partnership between ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder and NIST. The visit comes as investments in quantum research are expanding across the country.

Congressman Joe Neguse, D-Lafayette, toured JILA on December 16 to talk about the Build Back Better Act. Founded in 1962, JILA is one of many research facilities feeling the impact of aging infrastructure. Funds from the House-passed bill would help equip the institute to more effectively chase world-changing ideas in physics through the next decade and beyond.

Jun Ye (Physics), director of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥bit Quantum Initiative, has received a number of recent awards and honors for his groundbreaking work in quantum science, including the 2022 Herbert-Walther Award, the Niels Bohr Institute Medal of Honor for 2021, and a 2021 Highly Cited Researcher award from Clarivate.

The business podcast "Innovating with Scott Amyx" recently interviewed ColdQuanta CEO Scott Faris about the process of commercializing the company's pioneering cold atom quantum technology, products and services—which grew out of research originally conducted at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder.

“Quantum information technologies are at a tipping point in growing into a new economic pillar due to recent advances, federal funding and private investment," says ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥bit Executive Director Philip Makotyn. “Inclusion and equity of is critical if we’re to meet the growing workforce and supply chain needs."