Shimon Kolkowitz, Ph.D.

Herst Chair Associate Professor, Physics, University of California, Berkeley 

 

2024 Experimental Physics Investigator

Shimon Kolkowitz, Ph.D.
Image Credit: Sarah Wittmer, UC Berkeley
 

Research Description

Two of the biggest outstanding mysteries in modern physics are the nature of dark matter, and how to incorporate gravity with the rest of the Standard Model to realize a “unified” physical theory of the universe. The current generation of particle accelerator experiments have not yet produced any compelling signatures of unexpected particles or forces, and attempts to directly detect dark matter have so far only produced null results. Shedding any light on either of these puzzles would represent a major breakthrough for modern physics.

In Shimon Kolkowitz’s research group they have already successfully constructed a first-generation optical lattice clock experiment designed from the ground up to search for new physics. His group will build a second-generation multiplexed optical lattice clock apparatus that will enable differential comparisons between ensembles of strontium atoms with meter-scale spatial separations at even higher levels of precision than achieved in the first-generation apparatus. This will allow the performance of tabletop tests of the predictions of general relativity at a level comparable to space-based experiments, as well as exploration of the interplay between relativity and quantum mechanics by realizing physical systems where the relativistic effects of gravity impact the time evolution of atoms in spatially delocalized quantum mechanical states. His team will also perform differential and traditional clock comparisons between atom ensembles in their existing first-generation apparatus and atom ensembles in the new second-generation apparatus, which will allow them to perform novel searches for dark matter and to push the limits of precision and accuracy that can be achieved with differential clock comparisons across optical fiber links.

Research Impact

The novel experiments enabled by a meter-scale multiplexed optical lattice clock are expected to impact a variety of subfields of physics and real-world applications of optical clocks. Demonstrating tabletop tests of general relativity with precision at the levels currently only achieved by space-based experiments will represent a new research direction for lab-based tests of fundamental physics. Studying the evolution of quantum systems under the influence of general relativistic effects will shed light on the interface between gravity and quantum mechanics. High precision differential clock comparisons across a meter-scale clock network will enable us to set new constraints on the coupling strength of certain ultralight dark matter candidates to normal matter, and will allow Dr. Kolkowitz’s group to develop and demonstrate the techniques, precision, and accuracy required for clock-based gravitational wave detection and relativistic geodesy with optical lattice clock networks.

 
 

related links

Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative Science University of California, Berkeley Department of Physics Back

Education

PhD, Harvard University
MS, Harvard University
BS, Stanford University

Affiliated Investigators