Jiajun Chen

PhD thesis: Atom Interferometry with Ultracold Strontium Atoms

One of my primary research goals is to investigate the potential of atom interferometry for precise measurement and probing frontiers of fundamental physics. Atom interferometer provides a platform for researchers to measure acceleration, rotation, and gravity with unprecedented precision and sensitivity. I am particularly interested in using this technique to explore fundamental physics, including long-range fifth force, general relativity, atom neutrality, and even probing the foundations of quantum mechanics and Lorentz invariance. Additionally, it can also be used to search for ultra-light dark matter and explore gravitational waves in the mid-frequency range, where astrophysical processes involving intermediate-mass black holes and cosmological phenomena can be probed. Therefore, atom interferometer seems to be a promising technique that offers valuable synergies between different fields of physics and holds great potential for uncovering new phenomena in the universe.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

Hawking said: ‘All structures in the universe originate from the minimum fluctuations allowed by the principle of uncertainty in quantum mechanics.’ Quantum physics helps us explore the unknowns of the world, and explain them with precise theories, which I think is very valuable and fulfilling. Thus, with a desire for the unknown physical mystery, I decided to research more in the field of quantum physics.