Alan A. Madej  Ph.D. (Toronto)  Adjunct Professor of Physics (Senior Research Officer, Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council of Canada)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Research Field: Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics Research specialization: Laser frequency stabilization, Laser cooling, Single ion trapping, High resolution atomic physics, Non-linear mixing of optical radiation, Diode lasers, Optical frequency counting, Optical frequency/ wavelength standards, Ultra-stable laser systems, Single atom quantum phenomena. Publications

In the last few years, significant advances in the trapping and manipulation of atomic particles have led to the routine storage and observation of single isolated atoms in the form of an ion suspended in an electrodynamic trapping field under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Using the kinetic effects of laser light, one can cool such a particle to the milliKelvin level achieving an isolated atomic system at rest and essentially decoupled from external perturbation.

Together with recent developments in creating ultrapure, monochromatic radiation from laser sources, a new form of frequency standard based on a laser stabilized on the isolated ion can be created, ushering in a new level of accuracy in atomic physics and precision measurement. Activities within our project located at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa have advanced and harnessed these exciting new technologies and have aided in creating the world's first atomic optical frequency standard based on a single, trapped ion.

The team has developed and employs techniques in counting optical cycles with Hz level precision up to frequencies of 500 THz and has used this technology to link the Cs atomic clock standard with the single ion reference. Based on worldwide efforts, lasers stabilized on atomic systems are now performing at accuracies beyond our present definition of the unit second and promise to enable tests of such parameters as the time variation of fundamental constants and measurements of the distortion of time by the earth�s gravitational field.

The group continues to employ diverse laser technologies of diode, fiber, and optically pumped solid-state lasers to extend precision frequency measurement across the optical spectrum. In this environment, experiments are performed using state-of-the-art techniques in laser physics, electro-optics, precision frequency measurement, and data acquisition. The skills obtained with such a background lay a firm basis for competence in precision metrology, laser techniques, modern optics, and high resolution atomic physics.