News & Features
 |
The Coolest Experiment in the Universe Published: December 20, 2018 The Cold Atom Lab is the first facility in orbit to produce clouds of "ultracold" atoms, which can reach a fraction of a degree above absolute zero: -459ºF (-273ºC), the absolute coldest temperature that matter can reach.Click here to see larger image. |
|
Space Station Experiment Reaches Ultracold Milestone Published: July 27, 2018 CAL scientists confirmed last week that the facility has produced BECs from atoms of rubidium, with temperatures as low as 100 nanoKelvin, or one ten-millionth of one Kelvin above absolute zero.Click here to see larger image. |
 |
NASA Sends New Research on Orbital ATK Mission to Space Station Published: May 21, 2018 Astronauts soon will have new experiments to conduct related to emergency navigation, DNA sequencing and ultra-cold atom research when the research arrives at the International Space Station following the Monday launch of an Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft.Click here to see larger image. |
 |
Cold Atom Lab ready for launch! Published: May 14, 2018 The Cold Atom Lab has been integrated into the Cygnus spacecraft in advance of its May 20th launch from the Wallops Flight Facility.The top image shows the Cold Atom Lab being loaded into the Cygnus spacecraft. The bottom image shows the CAL stowed aboard Cygnus.Click here to see larger image. |
 |
Cold Atom Laboratory Science Workshop Published: Dec. 15, 2016 A Cold Atom Laboratory Science Workshop was held in in Bremen Germany to discuss and future collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Atomic Physics and Molecular Optic Research Community worldwide. Click here to see an image of the workshop attendees. |
 |
The CAL Science Module and Science Instrument are in the final stages of assembly prior to System Test Published: Sept. 1, 2016 The top image (science module) shows the vacuum chamber installed inside a magnetic shield. The bottom image (science instrument) is the quad locker that contains the electronics, lasers, and science module. |
 |
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists talk about the Cold Atom Laboratory Published: June 29, 2016 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists talk about the Cold Atom Laboratory set to arrive at the International Space Station in 2017. The facility will conduct experiments at ultra-cold temperatures to test fundamental laws of physics. |
 |
The Atom Interferometer enabled flight vacuum assembly has arrived at JPL for system integration and test. Published: May 19, 2016 This unit will use laser pulses to split and recombine atomic wave packets and to measure the quantum interference of the matter waves. The purpose is to demonstrate the technology and techniques needed for these space-based sensors to probe for dark matter and to test quantum mechanics and Einstein's equivalence principle. |
 |
Cold Atom Laboratory Doing Cool Research Published: Match 17, 2016 The Cold Atom Laboratory will forge "fluffy molecules" and probe the wonders of quantum physics when it launches to the International Space Station next year. |
 |
CAL Science Team Meets at JPL Published: February 18, 2016 The CAL Science Team meets at JPL for the completion of the flight investigation reviews. Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Eric Cornell, 2001 Nobel Prize winner in physics, reviewed his teams flight investigation on how Complexity Arises in the Universe. PI Dr. Nic Bigelow reviewed his teams flight investigation on how Atom interferometry Will Pave the Way for Definitive Space-based Tests of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. |
 |
Cosmic Concept: Studying Weird Physics on the Space Station Published: February 4, 2014 A project launching to the International Space Station in 2016 will take advantage of the microgravity and cold temperatures of orbit to do physics research that wouldn't be possible on Earth. |
 |
ScienceCasts: The Coolest Spot in the Universe Published: January 30, 2014 NASA researchers plan to create the coldest spot in the known Universe--inside the ISS. The Cold Atom Lab, could discover new forms of matter and novel quantum phenomena. Watch the video. |
 |
NASA Selects Physical Science Research Proposals for the International Space Station Date: January 30, 2014 NASA's Physical Science Research Program will fund seven proposals. |
 |
NASA Research Announcement: Research Opportunities in Fundamental Physics UPDATED: Oct 18, 2013 - Due Date Extended Release Date: Jul 11, 2013 Nan Yu is the JPL Point of Contact |
 |
ISS Research conference Denver Colorado July 16th to 18th, 2013 Both Dr. Sengupta and Dr. Thompson of the CAL team will be making presentations on the status of CAL. |
 |
CAL Test Update Date: September 21, 2013 |
 |
Readington resident, Paula Adhikari, to intern at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab Date: June 28, 2013 |
 |
NASA's Peruvian stars Date: June 26, 2013 |
 |
NASA to turn ISS into coldest spot in the universe Date: June 26, 2013 |
 |
CAL Workshop December 17-18, 2012 (Maryland) Download the "draft" agenda |
|
A Compact, High-Flux Cold Atom Beam Source (PDF) NASA Tech Briefs, June 2012 |
 |
Laboratory Apparatus Generates Dual-Species Cold Atomic Beam (PDF) NASA Tech Briefs, July 2004 |