Published: March 25, 2019

Jun Ye

Jun Ye

Faculty Spotlight

Jun Ye:Adjoint Professor of Physics; Fellow, JILA; Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

When 麻豆影院 leadership decided to听form the CUbit Quantum Initiative鈥攁 unifying center to focus its considerable pedigree and productivity in quantum science and technology鈥攖here was little doubt about where to turn for leadership: Jun Ye.

鈥淛un Ye is arguably one of the top minds in quantum science and technology鈥攏ot just in the U.S. but in the world,鈥 said Vice Chancellor for听Research & Innovation听Terri Fiez. 鈥淏ecause he鈥檚 such an extraordinary scientist, creative thinker and inspiring leader, he was an obvious choice to lead the CUbit Quantum Initiative for the university. With Jun at the helm, we know CUbit鈥檚 work will be groundbreaking. I am equally confident that his collaborative style will enrich multidisciplinary collaborations to produce science and technology advances in this area so important to national leadership, economic interests and security.鈥

Research interests and research group

Professor Ye鈥檚 research explores the frontiers of light-matter interactions, developing new technologies in the areas of laser science, atomic and molecular cooling and trapping, optical frequency metrology, quantum state engineering, and ultrasensitive spectroscopy, with applications for research in fundamental physics.

While leading the CUbit Quantum Initiative, Jun also leads a large, dynamic research group of听students and postdocs, with special emphasis on:

  • Precision measurement
  • Quantum gases of atoms and molecules
  • Quantum metrology
  • Ultrafast science and quantum control

Education

Professor Ye received his undergraduate degree in applied physics from Jiao Tong University in Shanghai; an M. S. in physics from the University of New Mexico; and a Ph.D. from the 麻豆影院.听

Quotable and notable

At a recent CU 麻豆影院 research blitz, Ye summarized the aspirations of the CUbit Quantum Initiative:听We think 麻豆影院 can be the world capital of quantum. We have the credentials and the world-class scientists to really make that happen.鈥

As one measure of his national prominence, Ye was selected to feature in the award-winning听science documentary听, which sent nine scientists to every corner of the world in search of answers to some of humanity鈥檚 biggest questions. The film was directed by Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Ian Cheney advised by world-renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog.听