JILA

A diagram illustrating how the new metasurface works as "optical tweezers" to trap individual atoms

Physics

Nanopillared lenses let scientists trap individual atoms with light

Researchers have developed a more precise design for "optical tweezers," using a metasurface lens studded with millions of tiny pillars which focus light to trap and manipulate individual atoms. It could pave the way for powerful quantum devices.

A 1-mm cloud of strontium atoms suspended in a laser lattice helped physicists measure the effect gravity has on the flow of time more precisely than ever before

Physics

Physicists measure gravitational time warp to within one millimeter

The flow of time isn’t as consistent as we might think – gravity slows it down, so clocks on Earth tick slower than those in space. Now researchers have measured time passing at different speeds across just one millimeter, the smallest distance yet.

The silicon resonator responsible for producing the world's sharpest laser, with a linewidth of just 10 mHz

Science

Focusing in on the world's sharpest laser

The “perfect” laser would emit light at one wavelength, but current technology can’t achieve that yet, shining across the spectrum in what scientists call “linewidth.” Now researchers have developed the world’s sharpest laser, with a linewidth of just 10 mHz (0.01 Hz).

The blue cloud of strontium at the heart of the world's most precise and stable clock (Photo: The Ye group and Brad Baxley, JILA)

Science

World's most precise clock only a second out every five billion years

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and JILA have unveiled the world's most precise timekeeper. The strontium lattice clock sets new standards for precision and stability, only gaining or losing one second about every five billion years.