JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and CU Boulder Physics Professor Adam Kaufman Honored with Prestigious PECASE Award

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JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist and CU Boulder Physics professor Adam Kaufman

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Kenna Hughes-Castleberry/JILA

JILA Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physicist and University of Colorado Boulder physics professor Dr. Adam Kaufman has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).  President Joe Biden announced that this accolade represents the highest honor conferred by the U.S. government to early-career scientists and engineers who exhibit extraordinary potential and leadership in their respective fields. Kaufman’s groundbreaking contributions to quantum science have cemented his place among nearly 400 recipients recognized for their innovative research and commitment to advancing scientific frontiers.

“I feel very honored to receive the PECASE in recognition of my group’s work over the past several years,” Kaufman says. “I am also very appreciative of the unique environment at JILA, from administrative to shop support, that enables so much of our research.” 

Established by President Clinton in 1996, the PECASE award celebrates early-career professionals whose work bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and societal impact. This year’s awardees, supported by 14 federal agencies, represent the vanguard of scientific and technological progress, tackling challenges in diverse fields such as agriculture, defense, healthcare, energy, and space exploration. 

President Biden emphasized the critical role of science and technology in shaping a brighter future, citing legislative initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act as testaments to the Administration’s commitment to bolstering research and development.

Kaufman’s pioneering work addresses fundamental questions about quantum systems and their interplay with classical physics. His research focuses on developing tools to manipulate individual particles—such as complex atoms, ions, or molecules—whose interactions and internal dynamics open new horizons for quantum simulation, quantum information, and precision metrology. 

Kaufman's lab has achieved unprecedented single-particle control at microscopic scales by combining optical tweezer technology with high-precision spectroscopy and quantum gas microscopy. His groundbreaking 2018 demonstration of trapping single alkaline-earth atoms in optical tweezer arrays has since paved the way for transformative advances in quantum science.

“Dr. Kaufman is a pioneer in the science of optical-tweezer arrays, in which he holds and precisely manipulates individual atoms with beams of light,” states Dr. Andrew Wilson, Acting Director of the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). “The major contributions that he and his team are making within NIST and JILA are advancing the goals of the U.S. National Quantum Initiative and are being used in a great many applications, ranging from fundamental science to commercial product development. This honor is a wonderful recognition for his outstanding scientific achievements.”

Written by Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, JILA Science Communicator

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