JILA

JILA is a world-leading physics research institute. So although the name "JILA" has stuck, we no longer spell out the acronym that we have outgrown.

We are a collaboration between University of Colorado Boulder and NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology). When JILA was formed in 1962 as a joint institue of CU Boulder and NIST, the acronym stood for "Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics". However, JILA's research quickly expanded to include fields like atomic, molecular and optical physics, as well as biophysics, quantu

m information, precision measurement, and more. Posted comments do not necessarily represent the views of JILA. While we encourage followers to share thoughts and opinions on the JILAScience page, we expect that this be done in a respectful manner.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to JILA Fellow Margaret Murnane! 👏

Congratulations to CU Boulder’s Margaret Murnane – named an honorary member of Optica! 🎉

🏆 The designation is the most distinguished member category bestowed by Optica.

🤩 Since 1916, only 63 individuals have been named honorary members.

Murnane, a distinguished professor of physics and electrical engineering and fellow of JILA, was recognized for her pioneering advances in ultrafast laser technology and extreme ultraviolet science, as well as sustained mentorship and leadership to the optics community.

Congratulations, Professor Murnane! 👏

Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/06/01/margaret-murnane-named-opticas-newest-honorary-member

Image credit: Boulder Daily Camera

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | CU Boulder Engineering

05/26/2026

Shooting for the moon! 🚀🌒

They rank among the darkest and coldest places in the solar system: thousands of lunar craters, most of them at the moon’s south pole, never receive direct sunlight and lie in permanent shadow. That’s exactly why NIST physicist Jun Ye and his colleagues suggest these craters are the perfect place to build a critical component for an ultra-stable laser.

This laser could lay the foundation for a GPS-like signal for spacecraft to navigate the moon’s surface, highly precise measurements of the distance between satellites, and the first atomic timekeeping signal on another celestial body.

🔗 https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/05/shooting-moon-ultrastable-lasers-dark-craters-could-enable-lunar-navigation

04/29/2026

Science in action at JILA 🔬✨

Last week, more than 110 high school students from Englewood, Northglenn, and Skyline High Schools put their science and engineering projects on display at the annual PISEC High School Poster Symposium. Students connected with CU mentors, toured labs, and practiced science communication skills.

The future of STEM looks bright 🌟

Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/jila/2026/04/24/high-school-students-present-science-and-engineering-projects-jila

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder Physics | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences

04/23/2026

JILA Fellow and CU Boulder Physics Prof. Jun Ye has been elected a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

His election recognizes his extraordinary contributions to physics and quantum science, including pioneering advances in optical atomic clocks, precision measurement, and quantum many-body physics.

Congratulations Prof. Ye! 👏

Read more: https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/jun-ye-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences

04/11/2026

⏱️ New Advances in Precision Timekeeping

JILA researchers have proposed a new superradiant laser design for next‑generation “active” atomic clocks that overcomes two major challenges: atom heating and vibration sensitivity.

Led by first author Jarrod Reilly, a physics graduate student, the work shows how guiding atoms through a controlled loop of quantum states could enable compact, robust atomic (and potentially nuclear) clocks that maintain extreme accuracy under real‑world conditions.

Read more: https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/articles/atomic-clock-stays-cool-and-can-rock-and-roll-without-losing-time

CU Boulder Physics

04/06/2026

Congratulations to physics graduate student Anya Grafov! 👏

Anya has been selected as a global recipient of the 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award, recognizing outstanding early-career women in STEM worldwide.

A member of JILA’s Kapteyn–Murnane Group, Anya is one of just 16 awardees selected worldwide. Congratulations, Anya!

Read more: https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/jila-graduate-student-anya-grafov-selected-global-recipient-2026-zonta

CU Boulder Physics | University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | CU Boulder Graduate School

04/02/2026

Congratulations to JILA postdoctoral researcher Megan Bentley on being selected as a 2026 Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow from the Beckman Foundation! 🎉

Megan is one of just 18 researchers nationwide to receive this highly competitive fellowship, which recognizes exceptional promise in chemical sciences and chemical instrumentation.

Learn more about Megan and her work: https://www.beckman-foundation.org/people/megan-bentley/

University of Colorado Boulder

03/25/2026

Exciting quantum news ✨

Google Quantum AI has tapped JILA Fellow and CU Boulder Physics Prof. Adam Kaufman to lead their new neutral atom quantum computing hardware team in Boulder! The initiative marks Google’s first major investment in this rapidly advancing platform.

Kaufman will continue his research at JILA while maintaining his faculty appointment in the physics department, bridging academics with industry. This collaboration further strengthens Boulder’s growing quantum ecosystem and highlights JILA’s leadership in quantum science.

Congratulations Adam! 👏

Read more: https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/google-quantum-ai-engages-jila-fellow-adam-kaufman-lead-new-neutral-atom-quantum

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences

03/16/2026

A new kind of laser could pave the way for practical nuclear clocks—devices that measure time with incredible precision by measuring the "ticking" of thorium

02/25/2026

JILA Fellow and CU Boulder Physics Professor Dana Anderson is celebrating a major milestone as Infleqtion, the quantum technology company he founded, officially went public on the New York Stock Exchange! 📈

Infleqtion is the first neutral-atom quantum technology company to enter public markets. Founded originally as ColdQuanta and spun out of the University of Colorado Boulder in 2007, Infleqtion has since evolved into a global leader in neutral‑atom quantum computing, precision sensing, and quantum‑enabled technologies.

Congratulations to Dana Anderson and the entire Infleqtion team! 🎉

Read more: https://jila.colorado.edu/news-events/news/jila-fellow-dana-anderson-celebrates-landmark-milestone-infleqtion-goes-public-new

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | CU Boulder Engineering

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http://jila.colorado.edu/

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