Inelastic losses of ultracold molecules are suppressed below the detection limit while at the same time achieving strongly dipolar interactions
In a Bose-Einstein condensate of dipolar molecules self-bound droplets and droplet arrays form in the regime of strong dipole-dipole interactions
Inelastic losses of ultracold molecules are suppressed below the detection limit while at the same time achieving strongly dipolar interactions
We have several exciting openings for graduate students and postdoctoral research scientists in our group. Please reach out directly to Professor Sebastian Will - we look forward to receiving your application!
The Will Lab investigates quantum systems of ultracold atoms and molecules. We cool atoms and molecules to ultracold temperatures close to above absolute zero - reaching the coldest temperatures allowed by nature. At these temperatures, the behavior of particles is 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.
We work towards single atom and single molecule and create novel many-body quantum systems, and perform quantum simulations of strongly interacting matter. 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.
Recent News
October 1, 2026
Sebastian Will receives Moore Experimental Physics Investigator Award
We are very grateful to receive the Experimental Physics Investigator Award from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The award, coming with $1.35M in funding, will allow us to explore the realization of optical atomic clocks based on metasurface tweezer arrays of ultracold strontium. Thank you to the Moore Foundation for the trust and the generous support of our work over many years - including essential support for our work on molecular Bose-Einstein condensates.
Link: Moore Foundation
Link: Columbia Press Release
August 13, 2026
Our molecular BEC featured as the NSF Image of the Month
The image shows the optical setup that we use to cool molecules to temperatures of a few nanokelvin above absolute zero - this recently allowed us to create the first Bose-Einstein condensate of molecules. Many thanks to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for supporting our work and highlighting it! This support is essential to drive forward fundamental and applied research and we are deeply grateful for it.
Link to original Nature manuscript.
Link to NSF Insights 2026 Newsletter.
September 17, 2026
Ultracold molecules are now ultrastable
Out today in Science: We demonstrate that ultracold molecular gases can be stabilized to an extreme degree, reaching lifetimes of several seconds. These stable conditions even survive in the presence of strong dipole-dipole interactions. The combination of low losses and strong interactions is key to reaching the strongly interacting regime, where novel many-body quantum phenomena can be expected. Huge congratulations to the entire team!
Link to Manuscript
Link to Columbia Press Release
March 18, 2026
Self-bound molecular droplets out in Nature!
We report the formation of self-bound droplets in a BEC of dipolar molecules, the first phase transition observed in a quantum degenerate gas of molecules. The droplets reach densities a 100-times higher than in the BEC, entering the strongly interacting regime and suggesting the possibility of new quantum-liquid and crystalline phases. A tremendous thank you to the entire team for the all the hard work that made this breakthrough possible!
Link to Manuscript
Link to Columbia Press Release
Link to Physics Today
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