PARTNERSHIP MODELS:

JILA 

& 

JOINT QUANTUM INSTITUTE (JQI)

DR. JAMES K. OLTHOFF

PML DIRECTOR

OCTOBER 7, 2015
PML: Two (Three?) Collaborative Institutes

Outline

• JILA

• Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) / Joint Center for Quantum 

Information in Computer Science (QuICS) 

• Benefits

• “Secrets of success”

• Future

2
JILA

Among the 25 JILA Fellows are:

• 3 Physics Nobel Laureates

• 3 MacArthur Foundation Fellows (“Genius grant” winners)

• 8 members of the National Academy of Sciences 

• 5 members of the Academy of Arts and Sciences

World-First breakthroughs in AMO physics:

• First Bose-Einstein Condensate

• First Fermi condensate

• First self-referenced laser frequency comb

• First evaporative cooling of molecules

• First quantum degenerate gas of polar molecules

• First cooling to the quantum ground state of a macroscopic 

object 

3

2001 Cornell 2001 Wieman 2005 Hall

JILA Scientist receiving Nobel Prizes from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden 

First quantum degenerate 

gas (BEC) Eric Cornell and 

Carl Wieman

First evaporative 

cooling of molecules 

(OH), Jun Ye 
JILA: Facts and Figures

• Joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado (CU)

• First government/university full partnership

• Founded 1962 as the “Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics”

• Name changed to just “JILA” in 1995

• Physically located on CU campus (Boulder)

• 25 JILA Fellows (11 NIST and 14 CU)

– NIST JILA Fellows hold Adjoint CU faculty appointments

• 250 personnel, including Fellows, Research Associates,

graduate and undergraduate students, staff

• Today known as a leading center for

– Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Science

– Leveraging AMO experience in nanoscience, bioscience, etc.

– Measurement science

4

Labs of JILA

Boulder, Colorado
David Nesbitt

Chemical physics; 

Biophysics; Molecular 

Ions

Thomas Perkins

Biophysics; AFM; 

Optical tweezers; 

Single molecule

Ana Maria Rey

Theorist: Cold atoms, 

molecules; Quantum 

many-body systems

James Thompson

Cold atoms; Quantum 

optics and Information; 

Precision measurement

Jun Ye

Cold atoms, molecules; 

Frequency combs; 

Ultrastable lasers

Fellows of JILA from NIST

5

Eric Cornell

Bose-Einstein 

condensates;

Precision measurement

Deborah Jin

Fermi degenerate 

atoms; Cold molecules; 

Bose-Einstein Conden.

Ralph Jimenez

Biophysics; Ultrafast 

lasers; Chemical 

physics; Microfluidics

Konrad Lehnert

Quantum nanomechanics; Microwave 

quantum optics

Judah Levine

Distributing precise 

time and frequency 

information

John Bohn

Theorist: Cold Molecules and quantum 

many-body systems
JILA: Original Purpose

• In late 1950s, the new emphasis on the space program 

revived interest in plasma and hence atomic physics

– Together with aerodynamics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics, 

these disciplines were combined into what was then loosely called 

“Laboratory Astrophysics”

• NBS staff Lewis Branscomb (atomic physics), Dick Thomas 

(aerodynamics), and John Jefferies (non-equilibrium 

thermodynamics) envisioned an institute to bolster NBS’s 

research activities in Laboratory Astrophysics

• Idea was strongly encouraged by the Space Science Board 

and the Federal Council for Science and Technology

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Lewis Branscomb

First Chairman of JILA (1962–1969)

NBS Director (1969–1972)
JILA: Original Objectives

1. Provide a means of bringing into the laboratory astrophysics program 

outstanding individuals who could not be hired with normal Civil Service 

procedures and salary limitations

2. Link the NBS programs to the astronomers and astrophysicists in universities, 

who were the primary users of the type of data that the NBS program provided

3. Train young scientists in the techniques important for laboratory astrophysics, 

providing stature for what was then a less fashionable field of physics

4. Pioneer a new approach to university-government cooperation that might 

establish precedent for additional cooperation in other areas

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JILA: Evolution Over Time

1962

• Research in basic atomic physics

– Emphasis on stationary and interaction 

properties of atoms and molecules needed for 

a microscopic description of a gaseous 

ensemble

• Research on cooperative behavior of 

gaseous ensembles

– For example: plasma physics, aerodynamic 

problems involving excitation of internal 

degrees of freedom of a gas and subsequent 

radiation, atomic-resonance phenomena such 

as lasers and optical pumping

• Research in those areas of stellar 

astrophysics applying the above

Source: Physics Today, Nov. 1962, pp. 42–46

2015

• Lasers as measurement tools

• Chemical kinetics

– Quantum chemistry

• New frequency standards

– Extending freq. comb spectrum

• Measurement science at the 

nanoscale

• Quantum degenerate gases

– Bose-Einstein Condensation

– Fermi gases

• Ultrafast science

• Biophysics

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JILA’s “Biggest Impact”:

Highly Trained Innovators

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Over 400 JILA “graduates” have taken positions within NIST
Recent JILA Accomplishments

• Strontium optical lattice clock,

world’s best atomic clock

– 2 × 10-18 accuracy and rapidly 

improving

– 100x improvement over 5 years

• Ultracold molecules and 

ultracold chemistry

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Debbie Jin and Jun Ye
JQI

Among the 24 JQI Fellows are:

- 3 of the 38 2015 APS award recipients

- Competed among hundreds of U.S. physics institutions!

- 1 Physics Nobel Laureate

- 1 recipient and 2 finalists: Service to America “Call to Service”

- 8 Arthur S. Flemming award winners

World’s largest institute in quantum coherent phenomena & 

quantum information science

• World’s first quantum simulation

• World’s first pixel-by-pixel entangled images 

• World’s first controllable “atomtronic” circuit, where atoms flow 

like electrons through wires of light

• Laid the theoretical foundation for interactions between cold atoms

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JQI: Facts and Figures

• Joint institute of NIST and the University of Maryland (UMD)

• Modeled in part on JILA

• Established 2006

– After several years of discussion and effort

• Physically located on UMD campus (College Park)

• 31 JQI Fellows (14 NIST, 16 UMD, and 1 LPS)

– NIST JQI Fellows hold Adjunct UMD faculty appointments

• 180 people, and still growing

• Today known as a leading center for quantum mechanical science, 

including:

– Cold quantum matter (AMO Physics)

– Quantum matter and materials (Condensed Matter Physics)

– Quantum Information

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Labs of the JQI

College Park, Maryland
Fellows of the JQI from NIST

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Alexey Gorshkov

Intersection of AMO 

and condensed matter 

physics, and QI science

Garnett Bryant

Theoretical condensed 

matter physics; Nanostructures and devices

Gretchen Campbell

Atom circuits: superfluidity and analogs to 

superconductivity

Charles Clark

Atomtronics; Quantum 

telecommunications; 

Neutron studies

Paul Julienne

Theory of ultracold 

atomic collisions, 

scattering resonances

Paul Lett

Laser cooling, trapping; 

Quantum, non-linear 

optics, squeezed light

Alan Migdall

Nonlinear optics, 

correlated photons, 

single-photon sources

William Phillips

Laser cooling, trapping 

of neutral atoms; 

Atomic-gas BEC

Trey Porto

Ultracold atoms in 

optical lattices; Neutral 

atom quant. computing

Glenn Solomon

Semiconductor-based 

materials physics, 

quantum optics

Ian Spielman

Bose-Hubbard model 

for ultra-cold rubidium 

atoms in optical lattice

Jacob Taylor

Fundamental and 

practical limits to 

building QI devices

Eite Tiesinga

Interferometry with 

interacting ultra-cold 

atomic matter

Carl Williams

Quantum computing 

with neutral atoms;

Ultracold collisions
Joint Center for Quantum Information

in Computer Science (QuICS)

• Established 2014

• Physically located on UMD campus (College Park)

• 12 QuICS Fellows (6 NIST, 5 UMD, and 1 NSA)

– NIST QuICS Fellows hold Adjunct UMD faculty appointments

• 30 people, and still growing

• Goal to become a leading center for quantum information in

computer science:

– How does quantum mechanics inform the theory of computation

and communication? 

– What insight does computer science shed on quantum computing? 

– What are the consequences of quantum information theory for fundamental physics?

– How can theoretical advances in computation and communication be applied?

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QuICS

College Park, Maryland
Fellows of QuICS from NIST

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Alexey Gorshkov (PML)

Interface of AMO 

(atomic, molecular, 

optical) physics, 

condensed matter 

physics, and quantum 

information

Stephen Jordan (ITL)

Quantum information, 

especially algorithms, 

complexity, and

post-quantum 

cryptography

Yi-Kai Liu (ITL)

Quantum 

computation, in 

particular, quantum 

algorithms and 

complexity, quantum 

state tomography and 

cryptography

Jacob Taylor (PML)

Fundamental and 

practical limits to 

building quantum 

information devices; 

novel approaches to 

entangling atomic, 

photonic, and solid 

state systems

Eite Tiesinga (PML)

Quantum information 

theory with ultra-coldatom and Josephsonjunctions; interactions 

and collisions 

between ultra-cold 

atoms and molecules

Carl Williams (PML)

Quantum computing 

with neutral atoms; 

quantum computing 

architectures; 

ultracold atomic 

collisions; Bose 

Hubbard and Fermi 

Hubbard models
JQI: Objectives

1. Serve as a world-class research institute, conducting fundamental 

investigations of coherent quantum phenomena and thereby laying the 

foundation for engineering and controlling complex quantum systems capable 

of using the coherence and entanglement of quantum mechanics

2. Maintain and enhance the nation's leading role in high technology through a 

powerful collaboration among NIST, UMD and LPS

3. Provide a unique, interdisciplinary center for the interchange of ideas among 

atomic physics, condensed matter and quantum information scientists

Source: http://jqi.umd.edu/about

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Recent JQI Accomplishments

• Theoretical description of 

“molecule of light”

– Binding photons a

specific distance apart

• Quantum correlations of noise in twin 

images should allow beyond-classical 

image resolution and quantum memory 

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Growing Reputation of the JQI

• Currently publishing more than 150 papers per year

• Accruing more than 5,000 citations per year

• Has 43 papers with more than 100 citations

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Benefits to NIST

JILA and JQI contribute significantly to NIST and PML’s core mission, by:

• Being world-class research institutes for exploiting coherent quantum phenomena and ensuring 

the benefits of revolutionary new technology for the nation

– Innovating new, transformational measurement tools and technologies for NIST, industry, Government, 

and basic research

– Investigating new ways of precisely directing and controlling light, atoms, and molecules

– Extending mastery of light and atoms to other fields, such as biophysics and nanoscience

• Providing credibility for our services through the breadth, vigor, and excellence of our research 

programs

• Providing access to academic-based research environments

• Producing fresh generations of scientists dedicated to precision and novel measurement,

at NIST and elsewhere

– Significantly increases students and post-docs working at NIST

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Benefits to the Host Universities

• Extraordinary environments for basic and applied research

– Innovation engines, jobs and economic impact affecting host regions

• Shared culture of the institute is pre-eminent over disparate, departmental cultures

– Genuinely empowers interdisciplinary research

• Unique opportunities for students (graduate, undergraduate, and post-doctoral)

– Focus on national priorities, NIST measurement-science culture/collaborations

• Creates durable, state-of-the-art infrastructure

• Access to long term stable funding

• Ability to attract world-leading faculty

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These impacts are integral to NIST’s mission, too.
What has contributed to success?

• Strong Joint-Institute-centric culture which demands collaboration and cooperation among Fellows

– Internal shared governance. Key strategic and operational decisions made by Fellows. 

– Substantial independence from parent organizations (NIST, CU, UMD) in scientific decision-making. 

– Joint Institute internal decisions consistent with broad goals of parent organizations. 

• High expectations for research, training, support services

– JQI associated with 13th top ranked Physics Department in U.S.

– JILA consistently the #1 ranked AMO program in the U.S.

• Fund for success

– Strong investment in JILA infrastructure. World-class Instrument shop (JILA), Electronics shop, IT support. 

– High performance administrative support. 

– Limited number of well-supported Fellows. 

– Long-term stable NIST and University investment 

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Lessons Learned

• Co-location, with differences between government and university staff minimized

– Unlike a government-funded, university-based center (GOCO)

• Continual evolution in scientific subjects, operations, structure, and culture

– Latitude for self-determination and self-governance

• Strong commitment to recruiting and retaining the best and brightest people

– Sharp scientific focus, all contribute to a “critical mass”

– Requires expected and planned sustainability

• Strong training mission

– With network of alumni and visitors for continuing partnerships

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Challenges

• Intellectual property

– e.g., University entrepreneurship vs. Government ethics

• Inherent cultural/operational differences between Government and Academia

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Opportunities

• Pioneer extension of JILA/JQI model to include private industry as a partner

– Creation of the first, true Government-University-Industry partnership

(Leverages NIST’s experience with JILA/JQI)

– Applicable to national priorities that span research to commercialization

(“Lab to Market”)

– Increase NIST focus on industry needs and opportunities
Plans for the Future

• JILA and JQI are good fits 

and excellent resources 

for portions of all five of 

the PML priority research 

areas

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Advanced Measurement Dissemination

Embedded Sensors (“NIST on a Chip”)

Photonics

Advanced Photonics for Health Care

Measurements of Living Systems

Force and Mass Metrology

Quantum Information Science

Complex Quantum Systems

Future Computing Devices

Atomic Scale Metrology