For decades, CU Boulder has been an international听leader in quantum physics, and in transforming quantum research breakthroughs into real-world applications鈥攆rom lasers that detect methane in the air to new microscopes that can probe the world in never-before-seen detail. Over its 60-year history, JILA鈥攁 joint Institute between CU Boulder and NIST鈥攈as boasted four Nobel听Prize winners. Learn more about our latest quantum science and research discoveries.听

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People walk in front of a building on the CU Boulder campus

Pioneering physics center gets $25M

Sept. 12, 2023

For nearly two decades, physicists at JILA have pioneered record-fast lasers that can fit on a table and have chilled clouds of atoms to just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. With a new award, their work is just getting started.

A police officer gives a volunteer a roadside sobriety test

A reliable cannabis breathalyzer? Possible, but not easy

Sept. 11, 2023

CU Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are teaming up to help adapt a 90-year-old system for detecting alcohol for a new age of cannabis legalization. A new study suggests it won鈥檛 be easy.

illustration of C60 molecule

A new spin on ergodicity breaking

Aug. 18, 2023

Researchers led by JILA and NIST fellows Jun Ye and David Nesbitt along with scientists from other universities have observed novel ergodicity-breaking in C60, a highly symmetric molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged on the vertices of a soccer ball pattern.

Illustration of multiple molecules made up of two atoms represented by blue and red spheres

Why does matter exist? Roundness of electrons may hold clues

July 6, 2023

Physicists at CU Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made record-breaking measures of electrons, finding that these tiny particles may be more round- than egg-shaped. Their results could bring scientists closer to answering a profound mystery of existence.

Abstract blue rings.

New seed grants bring quantum out of the lab, into the marketplace

May 18, 2023

CU Boulder has long been recognized as a global leader in quantum research and education. A new grant, awarded recently by the State of Colorado鈥檚 Economic Development Commission, takes that one step further by investing in the 鈥渜uantum ecosystem鈥� across the state.

Physics laboratory

NIST supports undergrad, graduate research experiences at CU

April 25, 2023

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has made a $94.5 million cooperative agreement to continue successful NIST-CU Boulder collaboration.

A volunteer blowing into a breathalyzer

New laser-based breathalyzer sniffs out COVID, other diseases in real-time

April 10, 2023

A new 鈥渄igital nose鈥� created with Nobel Prize-winning CU technology can provide COVID-19 test results in less than one hour with excellent accuracy. It could ultimately be used for on-the-go virus testing, diagnosis of cancer and lung diseases and more.

Surface of Earth as seen from space

New NASA grant to support quantum sensors in space

March 16, 2023

In a new, multi-university project, researchers from CU Boulder will help to design incredibly-sensitive quantum sensors that can detect changes in Earth's climate from space.

A new microwave made out of copper

How to rebuild an atomic clock

Dec. 8, 2022

The National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories have housed atomic clocks for decades鈥攊ncluding the cesium atomic clock NIST-F1, which serves as the primary time and frequency standard in the U.S. Researchers continue to improve the clocks' accuracies, a process that sometimes has included rebuilding parts.

JILA building with the Flatirons in the background.

Lockheed Martin, CUbit Quantum Initiative formalize quantum partnership

Nov. 2, 2022

CU Boulder's CUbit Quantum Initiative has announced Lockheed Martin as the latest industry quantum leader to become a CUbit Innovation Partner.

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