Atomic, Molecular, Optical Science

AMOS encompasses the research in
atomic, molecular, and optical science
at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

AMOS Research Areas

AMOS is a center for quantum physics with atomic, molecular, and optical systems, at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The center includes 15 research groups and activities ranging across most contemporary topics in AMO physics - from atto-second pulses and intense lasers, through precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms, molecules or ions, to quantum information and quantum optics. AMOS members hold faculty appointments in both the Physics and Chemistry Faculties at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

A wide range of interests and scientific excellence contribute to making AMOS one of Israel's leading research centers. AMOS scientists publish annually numerous scientific manuscripts in leading journals.

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News

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Seminars

  • 03
    Dec 2024
    13:15

    Building blocks for nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging

    Amit Finkler

    Telling apart two spins in a single molecule is a daunting task, and yet this is precisely the goal of nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (nanoMRI), with the aim of determining structure, function and dynamics. In this talk I will first outline the potential benefits of this capability, from fundamental physics to drug discovery. Then, I will describe the overarching scientific dogma of my research group, making use of a quantum emitter in the form of the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond as its central sensor. Finally, I will describe our work on the building blocks necessary to achieve our nanoMRI aim. These span magnetic tomography of electron spins with sub-angstrom precision, Bayesian inference for a boost in acquisition time and strong driving of nuclear spins going beyond the rotating frame approximation.

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  • 10
    Dec 2024
    13:15

    Journal club

    Idan Hochner
    Amit Pando

    Bose-Einstein condensation of photons in micro-cavities

    Amit Pando

    When bosons are at a sufficiently low temperature and high density, they undergo a phase transition to a Bose-Einstein condensate. Despite being the most common example of bosons, a thermal gas of photons does not undergo this phase transition regardless of temperature. In 2010, it was shown that dye-filled micro-cavities can induce condensation of photons, exhibiting many of the physical hallmarks of BECs. In the past 15 years, these systems have been explored further, and more recently, it was demonstrated that photon condensation can occur even in “typical” semiconductor microcavities and VCSELs. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of the physics of photonic BECs and present some of the recent results in the field.

    [1] Klaers, Jan, et al. "Bose–Einstein condensation of photons in an optical microcavity." Nature 468.7323 (2010): 545-548.

    [2] Schofield, Ross C., et al. "Bose–Einstein condensation of light in a semiconductor quantum well microcavity." Nature Photonics 18.10 (2024): 1083-1089.

    [3] Pieczarka, Maciej, et al. "Bose–Einstein condensation of photons in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser." Nature Photonics 18.10 (2024): 1090-1096.

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Publications

  • Simple few-shot method for spectrally resolving the wavefront of an ultrashort laser pulse

    Smartsev S., Liberman A., Andriyash I. A., Cavagna A., Flacco A., Giaccaglia C., Kaur J., Monzac J., Tata S., Vernier A., Malka V., Lopez-Martens R. & Faure J. (2024) Optics Letters.
    We present a novel, to the best of our knowledge, and straightforward approach for the spatio-spectral characterization of ultrashort pulses. This minimally intrusive method relies on placing a mask with specially arranged pinholes in the beam path before the focusing optic and retrieving the spectrally resolved laser wavefront from the speckle pattern produced at focus. We test the efficacy of this new method by accurately retrieving chromatic aberrations, such as pulse-front tilt (PFT), pulse-front curvature (PFC), and higher-order aberrations introduced by a spherical lens. The simplicity and scalability of this method, combined with its compatibility with single-shot operation, make it a strong complement to existing tools for high-intensity laser facilities.

  • The Future of Attosecond Science

    Dudovich N., Fang L., Gaarde M., Keller U., Landsman A., Richter M., Rohringer N. & Young L. (2024) .
    Conferences are incredible opportunities to strengthen the inclusive outlook of our scientific community. The participation of female scientists, postdocs, and graduate students in the ATTO VIII conference was remarkable, with more than 40% of female invited speakers. The Local Organizing Committee seized this opportunity to promote an atmosphere that welcomes all. An entirely female evening panel, with experience across the attosecond science spectrum, was convened to explore the Future of Attosecond Science in the evening session of Wednesday, July 13. Furthermore, a booklet entitled Perspectives in Attosecond Science was compiled by Dr. Shima Gholam-Mirzaei of the University of Ottawa and ATTO co-chairs Luca Argenti and Michael Chini, in collaboration with members of the Local Organizing Committee and others, which included interviews with female scientists at all career levels and which was included in the conference materials. The text has been minimally edited to improve clarity and readability.