top of page

The Will Lab investigates quantum systems of ultracold atoms and molecules. We cool atoms and molecules to ultracold temperatures just a sliver above absolute zero - reaching the coldest temperatures allowed by nature. Close to absolute zero temperature, the behavior of particles is ultimately determined by the laws of quantum mechanics. Using the precision tools of atomic physics, we have full control over the quantum state of each particle and the interactions between them. 

With ultracold atoms and molecules we create novel many-body quantum systems, perform quantum simulations of strongly interacting matter, and work towards single atom and single molecule control. Our research program focusses on fundamental questions in many-body quantum physics, quantum simulation, and quantum optics, and contributes to the development of modern quantum technologies. For more details go to Research.

Funding

Recent News

February 23, 2023

New preprint on high-efficiency STIRAP to the NaCs ground state

New preprint on NaCs excited state spectroscopy and efficient pathways for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) into the rovibrational ground state of dipolar NaCs molecules. We demonstrate STIRAP efficiency of 88%. This will be helpful for the creation of ultracold high density samples of NaCs and help with high fidelity detection of NaCs in optical lattices and optical tweezers. Link: arXiv:2302.12293

January 13, 2023

Tweezer-trapped Sr in TweeSr Lab

Our TweeSr Lab is greeting the New Year with strontium atoms trapped in optical tweezer arrays! The array is generated with a crossed AOD setup. Congrats to the entire TweeSr team on this wonderful achievement & Happy New Year to everyone! 

February 1, 2023

Nature News & Views on Molecular Resonances

In this week's Nature magazine Tanya Zelevinsky and Sebastian discuss newly discovered resonance phenomena in ultracold molecular gases and give an outlook on their impact on future research in quantum chemistry and quantum simulation with molecules. Link: Nature, 614, 35-36 (2023)

December 5, 2022

Congrats to John Clauser for 2022 Physics Nobel

Sebastian and Prof. Henry Yuan from the Columbia Computer Science department comment on the history, accomplishment, and impact of John Clauser's work for quantum science and technology today. Clauser conceived his concept to experimentally test Bell's inquality while being a grad student at Columbia University in the 60s. Together with Alain Aspect and Anton Zeilinger, he received the Physics Nobel Prize 2022. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/z-qJiNQIquc

NSF_4-Color_bitmap_Logo.png

CAREER

NSF_4-Color_bitmap_Logo.png

Convergence

Accelerator 

Office_of_Naval_Research_Official_Logo.p
NSF_4-Color_bitmap_Logo.png

QII-TAQS

columbia-logo.png
upright-Alfred_P._Sloan_Foundation_stack
bottom of page