David J. Wineland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David J. Wineland
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Wineland in 2013
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David Jeffery Wineland
February 24, 1944 |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley Harvard University |
| Known for | Cavity quantum electrodynamics Laser cooling |
| Awards | IRI Medal (2020) Nobel Prize in Physics (2012) National Medal of Science (2007) Schawlow Prize (2001) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Quantum physics |
| Institutions | University of Washington National Institute of Standards and Technology University of Colorado, Boulder University of Oregon |
| Thesis | The Atomic Deuterium Maser (1971) |
| Doctoral advisor | Norman Foster Ramsey, Jr. |
| Other academic advisors | Hans Georg Dehmelt |
David Jeffery Wineland (born February 24, 1944) is an American physicist. He works at the Physical Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He is well-known for his work with laser cooling tiny particles called ions. He also used these ions for quantum computing, which is a new way of computing.
In 2012, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics. He shared this award with Serge Haroche. They were recognized for their amazing ways to measure and control individual quantum systems.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Wineland was born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. His family later moved to Sacramento, California. He finished high school in Sacramento in 1961.
He studied physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his bachelor's degree there in 1965. Later, he went to Harvard University for his master's and doctoral degrees. He completed his PhD in 1970. His research focused on a device called "The Atomic Deuterium Maser."
Career and Discoveries
After his studies, Wineland did research at the University of Washington. He studied electrons in special containers called ion traps. In 1975, he joined the National Bureau of Standards, which is now called NIST. There, he started a group that focused on storing ions. He also teaches physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2018, Wineland became a research professor at the University of Oregon. He still works as a consultant with the Ion Storage Group at NIST.
Laser Cooling and Quantum Advances
Wineland made a big breakthrough in 1978. He was the first to use lasers to cool ions. This means slowing them down to incredibly low temperatures. His group at NIST uses these trapped ions for many experiments. They explore basic physics and how to control quantum states.
Their work has led to important progress in several areas:
- Spectroscopy: Studying how light interacts with matter.
- Atomic clocks: Super accurate clocks that use atoms.
- Quantum information: A new field that uses quantum mechanics for computing.
In 1995, Wineland created the first single-atom quantum logic gate. This was a key step for quantum computing. In 2004, he was the first to "quantum teleport" information using massive particles. In 2005, he built the most precise atomic clock. It used quantum logic on a single aluminum ion.
Wineland is a member of important scientific groups. These include the American Physical Society and the United States National Academy of Sciences.
Family Life
David Wineland is married to Sedna Quimby-Wineland. They have two sons together.
Major Awards and Recognition
David Wineland has received many awards for his scientific work. Some of his most important awards include:
- 1990 Davisson-Germer Prize in Atomic or Surface Physics
- 2001 Arthur L. Schawlow Prize in Laser Science
- 2007 National Medal of Science
- 2010 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics
- 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics
- 2019 Micius Quantum Prize
- 2020 IRI Medal
Appearances
Wineland has shared his knowledge at various events. He was a main speaker at the 2015 Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders.
See also
In Spanish: David Wineland para niños
- Cat state
- Doppler cooling
- Resolved sideband cooling
- Quantum supremacy
- Quantum Zeno effect
