Ian Spielman, a physicist at NIST and the Joint Quantum Institute, has been selected to receive the Junior BEC Award 2011 for his groundbreaking work on creating “synthetic magnetic fields” in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). BECs are a state of matter found at extremely low temperatures, and Spielman’s research allows scientists to study complex quantum phenomena without the complexities of material systems.
Spielman’s technique of creating synthetic fields using electrically neutral atoms could pave the way for exploring natural phenomena involving charged particles in magnetic fields, and may contribute to an exotic new form of quantum computing. The Junior BEC Award recognizes high-quality independent research performed early in a scientist’s career, and winners receive €2,500 and a certificate detailing their achievements. The awards will be presented at the Bose-Einstein Conference in Spain in September 2011.
Keywords: Spin-orbit, Magnetic fields, Bose-Einstein condensates, Synthetic fields, Neutral atoms
