Jun Ye
Faculty Spotlight
Jun Ye: Adjoint Professor of Physics; Fellow, JILA; Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
When University of Colorado Boulder leadership decided to form the CUbit Quantum Initiative—a unifying center to focus its considerable pedigree and productivity in quantum science and technology—there was little doubt about where to turn for leadership: Jun Ye.
“Jun Ye is arguably one of the top minds in quantum science and technology—not just in the U.S. but in the world,” said Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation Terri Fiez. “Because he’s 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’s 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.”
Research interests and research group
Professor Ye’s 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 students and postdocs, with special emphasis on:
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 University of Colorado Boulder.
Quotable and notable
At a recent CU Boulder research blitz, Ye summarized the aspirations of the CUbit Quantum Initiative: “We think Boulder can be the world capital of quantum. We have the credentials and the world-class scientists to really make that happen.”
As one measure of his national prominence, Ye was selected to feature in the award-winning science documentary The Most Unknown, which sent nine scientists to every corner of the world in search of answers to some of humanity’s biggest questions. The film was directed by Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Ian Cheney advised by world-renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog.