Jun Ye

Jun Ye (Chinese: 叶军; pinyin: Yè Jūn; born 1967) is a Chinese-American physicist and academic known for his pioneering work in precision measurement, ultracold atoms and molecules, and quantum metrology. He is a Fellow of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Ye received his B.S. degree in physics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1989, and his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1997, under the supervision of Jan Hall, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

His research focuses on developing and using advanced laser techniques to cool and trap atoms and molecules to extremely low temperatures, allowing for unprecedented control and precision in studying their properties. This has led to breakthroughs in atomic clocks, frequency standards, and the study of fundamental physics.

Ye's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the I. I. Rabi Prize in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, the Norman F. Ramsey Prize, and the Einstein Medal for Laser Science. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He has also made significant contributions to the development of optical lattice clocks, considered among the most accurate timekeeping devices in the world. His work has potential applications in fields such as geodesy, fundamental physics research, and secure communication.