The thermodynamic metrology group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD) expects multiple openings for postdoctoral researchers to apply atomic, molecular, and optical physics techniques to develop advanced physical sensors and devices. Selected candidates will be hired through the NIST Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) program and perform all duties at the NIST-Gaithersburg campus. 1) Develop experimental and theoretical methods for quantifying blackbody radiation using Rydberg atoms. The researcher will perform measurements on Rydberg atoms coupled to a blackbody cavity in order to quantify the effect of blackbody radiation on the Rydberg state population, using e.g. selective field ionization or fluorescence detection. The researcher will also develop a multi-level model of these interactions to compare against experiment. These methods will constitute primary, direct-SI BBR sensing, which will substantially improve the reliability and accuracy of radiometry, thermometry, remote sensing, RF communications, and frequency standards. The appointment is for two years with possibility of extension. The start date is preferably the summer of 2021. A PhD in physics or closely related field is required. Candidates with experience with atomic or molecular spectroscopy, EIT measurements, multilevel rate simulations, and high- speed electronics are preferred. 2) Work on the cold atom vacuum standard and its portable prototype. The cold atom vacuum standard is a new vacuum gauge that measures pressure using the loss rate of cold atoms from a trap due to background collisions. Because the collision cross sections can be calculated a priori, the gauge is also a standard. The postdoctoral researcher will test and compare two networked, portable versions of this vacuum gauge to our laboratory standards. This will involve the construction of these portable gauges, their initial checkout, and the measurement. The appointment is for one year. Extensions will depend on funding. The appointment start date is preferably the summer of 2021. A PhD in physics or closely related field is required. Candidates with laser-cooling experience are preferred. Interested candidates should contact Julia Scherschligt at julia.scherschligt@nist.gov. |