News

Six CU PREP researchers named Distinguished Associates

Kirsten Apodaca — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 22:35:40 +0000

Six CU PREP researchers named Distinguished Associates Kirsten Apodaca Fri, 04/25/2025 - 16:35

Six researchers from the �� Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) have been recognized as Distinguished Associates in 2024 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The honor is conferred by the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) to associates for their outstanding scientific achievements and contributions to the lab’s mission.

“These distinguished associate awards to six �� research faculty members demonstrate the importance of PREP to advancing NIST’s mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness,” said Paul Beale, professor of physics and PREP Program Manager.

Calibrating gravitational wave observatories

Anna Vaskuri received the award for contributions to the Judson C. French Award. The award citation reads “for reducing the uncertainty in calibration of the world network of gravitational wave observatories.” Vaskuri is a senior research fellow in the Long Wavelength Sensors and Applications Group.

Advancing ion-traps for quantum computing

Benedikt Hampel was recognized for contributions to the Bronze Medal awarded to NIST scientists Daniel Slichter, Varun Verma, Dietrich Leibfried, and Richard Mirin. The award citation reads “for the realization of the first single-photon detector integrated with an ion trap for the high-fidelity state readout of a trapped-ion quantum bit.” Hampel is a postdoctoral fellow in the Faint Photonics Group.

Sensors to unlock mysteries of the early universe

PREP researchers Gregory Jaehnig, Dante Jones, Matthew Koc, and Robinjeet Singh, along with NIST Research Engineer Richard Lew, were recognized as Distinguished Associates for their work contributing to the Gold Medal. The award citation reads “for developing the novel sensors that enable the most advanced cosmic microwave background observatory to unravel the mysteries of the early universe.”

Gregory Jaehnig, postdoctoral fellow in the Long Wavelength Sensors and Applications Group

Dante Jones, post-baccalaureate in the Long Wavelength Sensors and Applications Group

Matthew Koc, senior research fellow in the Device Fabrication Group

Robinjeet Singh, senior research fellow in the Device Fabrication Group

“These awards recognize these researchers' outstanding contributions to quantum measurement science and engineering and ensure that �� and NIST-Boulder continue their world-leadership in these fields,” said Beale.

Off

Traditional

White

CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Dan Cole (PhDPhys’18)

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:36:03 +0000

CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Dan Cole (PhDPhys’18) Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 04/24/2025 - 12:36

Kirsten Apodaca

Dan Cole (PhDPhys'18)

Dan Cole (PhDPhys’18) got his start in CU’s Professional Research Experience Program (CU PREP) by joining the Time and Frequency Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) working with Scott Diddams and Scott Papp.

Cole remembers meeting Diddams during a recruiting visit to CU. “I thought his research was interesting and working at NIST looked like a great opportunity,” he recalls.

During his PhD studies, Cole’s research at NIST focused on the nonlinear dynamics underlying frequency comb generation in optical microresonators. The research involved a mix of experimental work and numerical simulation of nonlinear dynamics.

“The optical frequency comb was the subject of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics. It revolutionized precision measurement by creating a kind of “optical ruler” that can very accurately measure the frequency of light,” said Cole.

“My research explored ways to miniaturize this technology so that it could be used outside the lab and eventually incorporated into integrated photonics devices. In addition to my work studying frequency comb generation in optical microresonators, I worked with my colleagues to develop and patent a method of frequency comb generation based on modulating a single-frequency laser. And I had a great collaboration with Professor Luigi Lugiato to extend his "Lugiato-Lefever equation" describing frequency comb generation in ring resonators to linear resonators.”

Cole recalls one of his proudest accomplishments as a graduate student was when he and his colleagues figured out why their microresonator frequency combs were producing a variety of highly structured optical spectra.

“My colleagues and I eventually explained these spectra as arising from an interesting twist on behavior that we already understood. We expected to find a single pulse of light circulating in the resonator, and instead we saw ordered patterns of many pulses, with slightly different arrangements producing many different spectra. This was a very satisfying solution to the puzzle!”

Now Cole is a quantum physicist at Infleqtion, an atomic physics technology company. He leads a team of scientists and engineers to develop and operate their neutral atom quantum computer in Boulder. “One thing I like about the industry environment is that it’s highly collaborative,” he said.

When asked what advice he would give to future students, Cole said changing research fields helped him stay excited about the work and gave him a broad perspective. Through graduate school, postdoctoral studies and his shift into industry, Cole changed his research focus multiple times.

He started with classical nonlinear optics in microresonator frequency combs. After graduate school, he took a post-doc doing trapped ion quantum information experiments at NIST's Ion Storage group. After NIST, he remained in the quantum information field but pivoted from trapped ions to neutral atoms in his transition to Infleqtion.

“One advantage of these kinds of transitions is that they are fun, and a second is that I think having experience across multiple fields really helps to spur creative problem solving,” he said.

Now a quantum physicist at Infleqtion, Dan Cole reflects on his experience conducting research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of CU’s Professional Research Experience Program (CU PREP).

Off

Traditional

White

CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Jenny Jiahui Wu

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:21 +0000

CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Jenny Jiahui Wu Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 02/20/2025 - 13:13

For recent graduate Jenny Jiahui Wu, her time at �� has been one of cutting-edge research and discovery. Learn about her path to grad school in Boulder, her research at NIST through CU PREP, and what's in store for her next.

Off

Traditional

White

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 CU PREP Graduates

Jane Hill — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:57:55 +0000

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 CU PREP Graduates Jane Hill Fri, 12/06/2024 - 11:57

Congratulations to our Fall 2024 CU PREP Graduates!

Angelina Harke-Hosemann – Ph.D. in Astrophysical & Planetary Science
Améya Ramadurgakar – Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Jenny Wu – Ph.D. Physics

Off

Traditional

White

Read about the Latest Research From CU PREP

Veronica R Lingo — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:01:50 +0000

Read about the Latest Research From CU PREP Veronica R Lingo Thu, 11/07/2024 - 11:01

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

The �� Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) is a joint program between NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and ��. It offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge research in various fields. Through collaborating with NIST, participants gain hands-on experience in projects shaping the future of science and technology.

Below are some of the latest research publications featuring PREP students, showcasing their contributions to fields ranging from quantum computing to telecommunications. This is by no means an exhaustive list, as PREP participants continue to publish new findings.

A Deep Dive into Self-Assembled Quantum Dots with Zixuan Wang and Poolad Imany

Participants Zixuan Wang and Poolad Imany, along with NIST researchers, explored tiny particles called quantum dots, which have the potential to revolutionize quantum technologies. Their study, published in Optics Express, focuses on embedding these dots in special soundwave structures to reduce noise—unwanted disruptions that can affect performance. This research is important because it helps make quantum devices, like super-fast computers, more stable and reliable. While Poolad Imany has recently left the PREP program, his contributions alongside Zixuan’s set the stage for future advancements in this field.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/gated-inas-quantum-dots-embedded-surface-acoustic-wave-cavities-low-noise-optomechanics

A New Material with Super Strength for Electronics

Working with NIST scientists, PREP associate Thomas Kolibaba’s research, published recently in ACS Nano Letters, is about creating stronger and safer materials for electronics. He worked on a new kind of material called a polyelectrolyte photopolymer, which can handle extreme electric forces without breaking down. This makes it a great candidate for use in batteries and electrical circuits. Kolibaba’s work could lead to new materials that are more efficient and longer-lasting in electronic applications.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/remarkable-dielectric-breakdown-strength-printable-polyelectrolyte-photopolymer

Making Sense of Data: Improving Signal Processing

Xifeng Lu and NIST experts are helping to improve the way we analyze complex data using digital signal processing. This research, published in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurements, is essential for things like communications, where it’s important to understand and interpret signals—such as sound waves or radio frequencies—in real time. Xifeng’s work could have major impacts on a range of fields, from improving wireless networks to enhancing the precision of scientific instruments.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/digital-signal-processing-time-series-spectrum-estimation

Tiny Optical Devices That Could Transform Telecom

In collaboration with NIST scientists, PREP participant Jizhao Zang’s research focuses on a new type of optical device called a microcomb, which has the potential to improve technologies like telecommunications and sensors. These microcombs are difficult to produce, but Zang’s study, published in Optics Letters, demonstrates how using advanced manufacturing techniques can make them more accessible and efficient. This research could lead to smaller, more powerful devices in areas like high-speed internet and precision measurement.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/foundry-manufacturing-octave-spanning-microcombs

Cooling Down Quantum Computers with Light

Working with NIST experts, PREP associate Jenny Wu is developing a method for keeping quantum computers cool called Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). Quantum computers need to be kept at extremely low temperatures to function properly, and Wu’s research involves using light to help with that cooling process. By studying trapped ions (charged particles) and how they behave in different conditions, her work, published in Physical Review A, contributes to making quantum computers more reliable and practical for real-world applications.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:https://www.nist.gov/publications/electromagnetically-induced-transparency-cooling-tripod-structure-hyperfine-trapped-ion

Improving 5G and LTE Networks and Testing Wireless Device Coexistence

PREP participant Nadia Yoza Mitsuishi, along with NIST researchers, is working on how to make 5G and LTE networks—two types of wireless communication systems—work better together. As our world becomes more connected, these networks need to coexist without interfering with each other. Recently published in IEEE International Conference on Communications, Mitsuishi’s research uses software-defined radios to measure how these networks interact, helping engineers design better systems for future wireless communications. Her work could lead to faster and more reliable internet for everyone.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/5g-nr-and-lte-downlink-coexistence-measurements-using-software-defined-radios

Mitsuishi also worked on a separate study with NIST researchers looking at testing how wireless devices can coexist without interfering—a critical issue as our world becomes more connected. In this study, Mitsuishi and the team compared two methods of testing: conducted (where wires physically connect devices) and radiated (where signals are sent through the air). The team showed how these testing methods can reveal different strengths and weaknesses in wireless systems by simulating real-world scenarios, such as a wireless emergency stop system coexisting with Wi-Fi networks.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/coexistence-testing-comparing-conducted-and-radiated-test-results

Better Electronics with 3D-Integrated Materials

PREP participant Tomasz Karpisz’s research with NIST scientists explores new materials that can improve how electronic devices work, especially at very high frequencies. By studying the electrical properties of 3D-integrated layers in glass, Karpisz is helping to create better designs for devices like smartphones, computers, and even quantum computers. His work, recently published in the conference proceedings for the 2024 IEEE/MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, focuses on making sure these materials perform well in advanced technologies, leading to more efficient and powerful electronics.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/characterizing-broadband-rf-permittivity-3d-integrated-layers-glass-wafer-stack-100-mhz

Controlling Tiny Quantum Bits for Better Computers

In collaboration with NIST scientists, PREP associate Justin Niedermeyer is working on improving the way we control quantum bits (qubits)—the basic units of quantum computers. By developing a method to individually address and read the state of each qubit, Niedermeyer’s research, recently published in Physical Review Letters, helps make quantum computers more accurate and easier to scale up. This kind of precise control is key to building larger, more powerful quantum computers that could revolutionize industries like medicine, finance, and cybersecurity.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/individual-addressing-and-state-readout-trapped-ions-utilizing-rf-micromotion

Tiny Switches for the Future of Quantum Computing

PREP associate Elizabeth Sorenson’s work, collaborating with NIST experts, focuses on improving MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) switches, which are used in a variety of applications, including quantum computing. These tiny switches need to be reliable, especially when used in extreme conditions like very low temperatures. Sorenson’s research, published recently as a conference proceeding for the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering helps ensure that these components can handle the demands of future quantum computing systems, making her work a critical step toward creating more dependable technology.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/publications/characterizing-mems-switch-reliability-cryogenic-applications-such-quantum-computing

Here are some of the latest research publications featuring the work of PREP students!

Off

Traditional

NIST Building 1 at the NIST Boulder Campus

White

Congratulations to our Summer 2024 CU PREP Graduate

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:57:51 +0000

Congratulations to our Summer 2024 CU PREP Graduate Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/13/2024 - 13:57

Congratulations to our Summer 2024 CU PREP Graduate!

Hannah Knaack - Ph.D. in Physics

Off

Traditional

White

A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:41:10 +0000

A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/07/2024 - 13:41

A ��-led research team—including CU PREP Postdoctoral Associate Thomas Kolibaba and former PREP Research Associate Jason Killgore—has created a new biomaterial that is both strong and flexible, and can be 3D printed for custom biomedical applications.

Off

Traditional

White

CU PREP alum John Mates featured in NIST's Taking Measure Blog

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2024 19:34:00 +0000

CU PREP alum John Mates featured in NIST's Taking Measure Blog Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/30/2024 - 13:34

�� and PREP alum John "Ben" Mates' (PhDPhys'11) dissertation is now a hot topic and "required reading for many scientists interested in multiplexing." Mates completed his PhD while conducting research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through CU's Professional Research Experience Program (CU PREP).

Off

Traditional

White

CU PREP office to undergo major renovations

Anonymous — Wed, 22 May 2024 20:24:11 +0000

CU PREP office to undergo major renovations Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/22/2024 - 14:24

The CU PREP Office (DUAN D1B37) is undergoing a major renovation starting May 27, 2024. The renovations will overhaul the space, providing a modernized look and feel to these areas that welcome new students, staff, researchers, faculty, and visitors.

Construction is expected to last through December 2024. Staff from the affected offices are being temporarily relocated to other spaces in the Duane Physics building for the duration of the project.

Here's where you can find us starting May 22, 2024:

DUAN F315

Tiffany Mason – CU PREP Program Coordinator
Lisa Valencia – CU PREP HR/Payroll Liaison

DUAN F533

Jane Hill – CU PREP Program & Travel Services Professional
George Peterman – Immigration & Operations Services Senior Professional

The CU PREP Office (DUAN D1B37) is undergoing major renovations starting May 27, 2024. Here's where you can find staff from the affected offices.

Off

Traditional

White

CU PREP researchers receive notable recognition

Anonymous — Thu, 16 May 2024 22:15:03 +0000

CU PREP researchers receive notable recognition Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/16/2024 - 16:15

NIST Boulder Campus (Image credit: R. Jacobson/NIST)

Three �� Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) researchers were recently recognized along with their research groups at NIST for their outstanding scientific achievements.

“Congratulations to PREP researchers Bakhrom Oripov, Benedikt Hampel, and Saeed Khan for these impressive awards,” said CU PREP Program Manager and Professor Paul Beale. “We’re thrilled to have such remarkable scientists contributing to their fields.”

2023 Applied Physics Letters Rising Stars Collection

Each year, Applied Physics Letters (APL) selects outstanding publications by emerging investigators for inclusion in the APL Rising Stars Collection. This year, two CU PREP participants were recognized in the collection.

Bakhrom Oripov, postdoctoral fellow in the Quantum Nanophotonics Group, was recognized in the 2023 APL Rising Stars Collection for the paper “The thermally-coupled imager: A scalable readout architecture for superconducting nanowire single photon.” Oripov earned his PhD in condensed matter physics from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2020 and has been conducting research at NIST through PREP since 2021.
Benedikt Hampel, postdoctoral fellow in the Faint Photonics Group, was recognized in the 2023 APL Rising Stars Collection for the paper “Trap-Integrated Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors with Improved RF Tolerance for Trapped-Ion Qubit State Readout.” After earning his PhD in electrical engineering from TU Braunschweig, Germany in 2018, Hampel joined PREP as a postdoctoral associate in 2021.

2023 NIST Precision Measurement Lab (PML) Distinguished Associate Award

This award recognizes associates for outstanding contributions to the Precision Measurement Laboratory.

Saeed Khan, senior research fellow in the Quantum Nanophotonics Group, received a 2023 NIST PML Distinguished Associate Award in recognition of his group receiving the 2023 Bronze Medal Award. The award citation read “for the monolithic integration of superconducting single-photon detectors with Josephson junctions for advanced computing and single-photon metrology.” Khan earned his PhD from the University of Central Florida and joined PREP in 2018.

Off

Traditional

White