Atomic Physics

Discoveries at WSU occur in some of the coolest places in the universe. Literally! Peter Engels cools atoms to within a billionth of a degree of absolute zero in the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab, where their wave nature starts to dominate, and a new phase of superfluid matter emerges. These cold atom experiments provide a platform to study fundamental quantum physics and look for new phenomena that might form the basis for the next generation of quantum technology. Ideas and technologies being explored at WSU include spintronics, negative-mass hydrodynamics, gravitational caustics, and atom-interferometric imaging.

Brian Saam uses atoms in high magnetic fields to Brian Saam’s research group works on spin physics and magnetic resonance in alkali-metal vapors and noble gases, with applications to magnetometry and magnetic resonance imaging.

Photo of the HIP trap in the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab.
HIP trap in the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab that shuttles ultra-cold atoms from the site where they are cooled to the site where they are manipulated to study superfluid dynamics.