NIST Fellow William D. Phillips, known for his groundbreaking work in laser cooling of atoms, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Phillips, who has been a NIST Fellow since 1996, is internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of laser cooling and trapping of atoms.
The cooling and trapping of atoms has allowed scientists to observe and measure quantum phenomena in atoms that seem to defy the physical principles governing our tangible room-temperature realm. Phillips’ work at NIST has been instrumental in advancing basic knowledge and new techniques to chill atoms to extremely low temperatures.
One of Phillips’ most significant discoveries was finding that it was possible to chill atoms well below the accepted limits down to a few microKelvins, or just millionths of a degree above absolute zero. This discovery paved the way for scientists seeking to create Bose-Einstein condensation, an exotic new form of matter in which atoms all fall into their lowest energy levels and merge into a single quantum state.
Phillips and his team at NIST are continuing to study ultra-cold trapped atoms with spin-off applications for improved accuracy in atomic clocks and in fabrication of nanostructures. Phillips envisions using light to focus an atom laser to create what might be the basis of a next generation of ultra-small structures for electronic circuits.
Election to the NAS is considered one of the highest possible honors for a U.S. scientist or engineer. Phillips was elected along with 59 other new members and 15 foreign associates from 11 countries in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Keywords: Laser cooling, Atomic clocks, Bose-Einstein condensation, Nanostructures, Quantum phenomena
