The Department of Physics at 抖阴旅行射 Boulder is excited to celebrate its students' achievements as they graduate and move on to the next step of their careers. For recently graduated graduate student Jenny Jiahui Wu, who also participated in 抖阴旅行射鈥檚 PREP program with NIST, her time at 抖阴旅行射 Boulder has been one of cutting-edge research and discovery.

Wu鈥檚 passion for physics began during high school in Canada, where she excelled in math and science. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by her AP Physics teacher, she discovered that her strengths and interests were better suited to pure physics than engineering. This realization led her to pursue a physics degree at the University of Toronto, where she fell in love with the predictive power of physics equations and their real-world applications.

Joining 抖阴旅行射 Boulder: A Hub for Quantum Research

Wu鈥檚 path to 抖阴旅行射 Boulder was shaped by her undergraduate ion-trapping research at the University of Toronto. Her advisors highlighted 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚 reputation as a global hub for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics and its collaboration with the prestigious NIST Ion Storage Group. Intrigued by the research possibilities, Wu joined 抖阴旅行射 Boulder to pursue her PhD.

While there, Wu worked with the NIST Ion Storage Group through 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚 PREP program, focusing on experiments in quantum control and quantum information.

鈥淚 was drawn to 抖阴旅行射 not just for its reputation in ion trapping but also for the wealth of opportunities in AMO physics,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t was the perfect fit for my research interests.鈥�

Her research contributed to advancing quantum information and quantum control techniques, areas crucial for the future of quantum technologies. Wu credits the supportive environment at 抖阴旅行射 and NIST for providing her with the tools and mentorship to excel in her field.

For Wu, completing her PhD felt like 鈥渢he end of a good movie.鈥� Reflecting on her time, she described it as a fulfilling chapter of her life.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy with what I accomplished and where it ended,鈥� she shares. 鈥淥f course, there鈥檚 always more research to be done, but I felt it was the right time to move on.鈥�

Looking Ahead: A Career at Quantinuum

After graduating, Wu joined Quantinuum, a leading quantum computing company specializing in ion-trap-based quantum technologies. Given her extensive background in ion trapping and quantum research, this transition was a natural fit. At Quantinuum, Wu hopes to develop her skills further and contribute to the company鈥檚 mission of creating commercial quantum computing solutions.

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see quantum computers reaching the point where they can be offered commercially,鈥� Wu says. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be part of this journey and to help build extremely advanced quantum computers for the future.鈥�

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Jun Ye, a professor of physics and a JILA and NIST Fellow, has been named the inaugural holder of the Monroe Endowed Professorship in Physics. This prestigious new professorship, the result of a $1 million endowment from 抖阴旅行射 alumnus Chris Monroe, underscores the university鈥檚 growing prominence in quantum information science and applied quantum physics.  

鈥淚 went to 抖阴旅行射 for graduate school simply because it looked like the best place for me to study atomic and quantum physics,鈥� Monroe said. 鈥淥nly later did I realize just how much better it was than high-drama places on the coasts. I cannot imagine a better preparation for the rest of my career having gone through 抖阴旅行射 and JILA.鈥� 

Chris Monroe, Circa 1990

Monroe, a pioneering physicist and co-founder of IonQ, Inc., established the Monroe Endowed Professorship in Physics to support 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚 leadership in the rapidly evolving field of quantum research. He graduated from 抖阴旅行射 Boulder in 1992 with a Ph.D. in Physics under the mentorship of Nobel Laureates Carl Wieman and Eric Cornell, then worked closely with Nobel Laureate David Wineland at nearby NIST-Boulder as they pioneered the use of individual atoms as quantum computer bits (qubits). His illustrious career has taken him to Duke University, where he is the Director of the Duke Quantum Center, and holds the Gilhuly Family Presidential Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at Duke. Monroe鈥檚 research has pioneered all aspects in designing and fabricating scalable quantum computers based on atomic qubits. His machines have been programmed for rudimentary quantum algorithms and simulations of complex quantum phenomena in nature. His company IonQ, the first public quantum computing company, aims to commercialize quantum computers according to a clear technology roadmap.  

His vision for the 抖阴旅行射 Physics endowment, outlined in the fund agreement, is clear: 鈥淭he purpose in establishing this Fund is to enable the University and JILA to expand its research and education capacity in quantum information science and applied quantum physics through an endowed professorship position that will retain current faculty or allow the University and JILA to hire the best and brightest researchers in this field.鈥�  

One of the leaders teaching the best and brightest researchers is Jun Ye, who is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in precision measurement, ultracold molecules, and ultra-high precision atomic clocks. His strontium lattice atomic clock, which uses laser-based technology, is currently the most accurate in the world. His very recent measurement of a nuclear transition using laser light could revolutionize clocks (and maybe even quantum computers) well into the future. Ye鈥檚 numerous accolades reflect his leadership in the field, including the 2022 Breakthrough Prize, the I.I. Rabi Prize, and the Niels Bohr Institute Medal of Honor. 

鈥淚 certainly feel very honored to be a recipient of the Monroe Endowed Professorship,鈥� Ye said. 鈥淚 have known Chris for many years. It turns out that when I arrived in JILA and 抖阴旅行射 Physics as a fresh graduate student, the very first PhD defense I witnessed was Chris's work with Carl Wieman. I have regarded Chris a gold standard for JILA and 抖阴旅行射 Physics graduates ever since.  He has made big impact to quantum information science, being an original practitioner, a visionary advocate, and a breakthrough technologist.鈥�  

The selection committee, led by 抖阴旅行射 Boulder Physics Professor Paul Beale and including a combination of Physics department faculty and JILA Fellows, unanimously chose Ye for the position  

鈥淛un is internationally recognized as a leader in quantum science and technology with a specialty in precision measurement,鈥� Beale said in a statement from the selection committee. 鈥淗e is a world leader in frequency combs, ultracold molecules, and ultra-high precision atomic clocks,鈥�  

The Monroe Endowed Professorship joins a distinguished lineage of other endowed positions in 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚 Department of Physics. In 2021, alumnus Joseph Mitchell and his wife Cindy established the Jesse Lafayette Mitchell Endowed Chair in Experimental Physics. Alysia Marino currently holds this chair, where her research focuses on neutrino detection and the fundamental properties of these elusive particles. Additionally, the Waldo E. Rennie Endowed Professorship in Theoretical Physics, created in 2021 with funds from the trust of Waldo E. Rennie, supports Michael Hermele鈥檚 research in quantum phases of matter and strongly correlated systems. 

As the holder of the new Monroe Endowed Professorship, Jun Ye is poised to continue his transformative work in quantum physics, ensuring that 抖阴旅行射 Boulder remains at the forefront of quantum science research. 

鈥淚 will continue to draw inspiration from Chris and help to advance the field of quantum science and precision measurement,鈥� added Ye.  

Header photo credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

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Baylor, who was visiting Colorado for the summer, expressed her excitement about the event, saying, 鈥淟ast year, I got to know folks in WaGMiP from conversations after my 'Life After JILA' talk last fall while I was in the area for my sabbatical. I had conversations with them both as a group and individually. I've maintained relationships with members of WaGMiP even after relocating to Minnesota for the rest of my sabbatical, helping some of them develop Personal and Professional Individual Development Plans.鈥�

Hearing of Baylor鈥檚 visit to Colorado, WaGMiP leadership invited her back to campus.

Iona Binnie, a fifth year physics graduate student and leader of WaGMiP, shared her thoughts on the event, 鈥淟unch with Marty was fantastic. It was great catching up and chatting about WaGMiP's department activities since her last visit. Connecting with Marty has been really valuable to many of us, and we plan to keep getting together whenever she visits Boulder.鈥�

The informal lunch allowed WaGMiP members to share their summer stories and discuss topics related to their experiences in physics in a safe setting. The value of groups like WaGMiP at 抖阴旅行射 Boulder cannot be overstated, as they offer a crucial space for individuals to connect, share experiences, and find support.

Dr. Baylor highlighted this, saying, "We all need groups where we can metaphorically 'let our hair down' with people that are like us in some way, particularly for individuals whose identities are marginalized in a larger community. Affinity spaces are places where one can be heard and seen, serving, when needed, as a positive counter space to one's experience in the dominant community."

Event photos by Iona Binnie

Marty Baylor portrait courtesy Carleton College

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Congratulations to Dr. Zach Ulibarri, who was named a 2024 51 Pegasi b Fellow by the Heising-Simons Foundation. The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship provides postdoctoral scientists with the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational, and experimental research in planetary astronomy.

Dr. Ulibarri earned his PhD in physics from 抖阴旅行射 Boulder in Spring 2022. As part of his graduate work, he performed experiments at the , which contributed to the development of the ,  set to launch on NASA鈥檚 Europa Clipper in October 2024.

鈥淢ost people don't really think about dust, but it鈥檚 incredibly important in space,鈥� Ulibarri said. 鈥淵ou can use it to sample the chemistry of planetary objects without landing. You can fly by and scoop up those dust grains without the expense and difficulty of landing on the object.鈥�

Dr. Ulibarri鈥檚 experiments determined the speed limit for the breakup of complex organic molecules undergoing hypervelocity impacts, which instruments such as SUDA rely on as they attempt to detect such molecules from orbit.

鈥淟et鈥檚 say you鈥檙e trying to fly by a planetary object, and it has some sign of life on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f the spacecraft smacks into this thing at five kilometers a second, does it break up that organic biomolecule and destroy the information you鈥檙e trying to get? That鈥檚 what I studied, and the answer is around seven kilometers a second.鈥�

Zach is now a Postdoctoral Researcher in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University, where he is working on adapting an instrument called the electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) for use in space. This instrument currently studies biomolecules on Earth, but during his new fellowship, Dr. Ulibarri hopes to adapt its functionality to work outside of Earth鈥檚 parameters, so that delicate extraterrestrial biomolecules can be studied in orbit or on lander spacecraft.

鈥淓lectrospray ionization mass spectrometers are fantastically useful instruments and they鈥檙e very good at studying organic biomolecules,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he trouble is they鈥檙e massive cubes as tall as I am. They weigh a ton, maybe two. They cost a couple hundred thousand dollars and they鈥檙e incredibly complex. The challenge is to put one of these on a spacecraft and have it survive launch and get all the way to a planetary object without breaking.鈥�

Established in 2017, the Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is named for the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. In the growing field of planetary astronomy, scientists study objects both within and beyond our solar system, bridging planetary science and astronomy. From improving our understanding of planetary system formation and evolution, to advancing new technologies for detecting other worlds, 51 Pegasi b Fellows make a unique contribution to the field.

In addition to monetary support of up to $430,000, 51 Pegasi b Fellows will receive networking and mentorship opportunities to help advance their work in this crucial field of astrophysical science.

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. Learn more at .

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Tom Baur (Image Credit: Meadowlark Optics)

抖阴旅行射 Boulder alumnus Tom Baur was recently named a , the International Society for Optics and Photonics. Tom is among a number of leading scientists named SPIE Fellows in 2024. He previously received SPIE鈥檚 G.G. Stokes Award in 2018. 

SPIE Fellows are named annually for their significant scientific and technical contributions to optics, photonics, and imaging. They are nominated by colleagues for their technical achievement and service to the general optics community.  

Tom completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan before earning a master鈥檚 degree in astro-geophysics from 抖阴旅行射 Boulder in 1969. He worked at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and later founded Meadowlark Optics, which specializes in optical components for polarization control. 

In 2020, Tom and his wife Jeanne Baur created the Baur-SPIE Endowed Chair in Optics and Photonics with contributions from SPIE and Chancellor DiStefano. The Endowed Chair is held by Physics Professor and JILA Fellow Cindy Regal. 

Tom remains closely connected with 抖阴旅行射 Boulder, and the Department of Physics in particular. He serves on the Physics Advancement Advisory Committee, and his company Meadowlark Optics participates in the annual Physics and Quantum Career Fair.  

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