Cold Atom Sources

Overview

Qualifications

Organization

Related internships

Overview

Cold atoms are used to make precision measurements of rotation, acceleration, time (think atomic clocks), etc. Atoms are typically cooled using laser cooling techniques to temperatures less than 100 micro Kelvin to reduce thermal noise and increase measurement time. We are investigating new cold atoms sources that either reduce the size, weight, and power (SWAP) requirements of laser cooled sources or that can cool atoms without lasers. Reducing SWAP is an important considering for making compact devices that can be transitioned from the laboratory into real world applications. Cooling atoms without laser opens the possibility of using atoms that currently cannot be cooled but have properties that are of scientific and/or technical interest. The assigned project will depend on the student’s interest and experience.

Organization: Scholars

working and learning something new every day

Duration: 6 Months

Matthew Squires

Postdoc

Reference Code: AFRL 12345

Matthew Squires

Dr. Matthew B. Squires is a research physicist in the Cold Atom group in the Space Vehicles Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory located at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. He received his B.S. in 1999 and a M.S. in 2001 from Brigham Young University in 1999. He received his PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2008; all of the degrees are in Physics. His doctoral research was in the rapid production of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) in compact vacuum systems for inertial sensors. He has continued this research at AFRL working on atom interferometers with BECs and with laser cooled atoms. Dr. Squires is a recipient of the 2012 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) which recognizes early career scientists who are working in the frontiers of science and engineering and are involved in community service.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Below is a summary of the desired background for the position, and any general requirements. Additional detail may be found in the application.

About the partner

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) administers a three-pronged approach to strengthening the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce pipeline that includes: the AFRL Scholars Program, AFRL Scholars Professionals, and the University Research and Engagement Program (UREP). This portfolio of enriching programs aligns directly with the Federal STEM Strategy and Department of Defense (DoD) STEM mission for the U.S. Department of the Air Force by offering immersive project-based learning opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows.