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10 September 2021
OSA Fellow Jun Ye Named Recipient of the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
Awarded the world’s largest science prize for pioneering work on ultra-precise optical lattice clocks
WASHINGTON – The Optical Society (OSA) congratulates OSA Fellow Jun Ye on receiving the 2022 Breakthrough Prize. The Breakthrough Prize, now in its tenth year, awards scientists and mathematicians who have advanced their field with groundbreaking discoveries and novel technologies.
Jun Ye, fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA and professor adjoint of physics at the University of Colorado, USA and Hidetoshi Katori, University of Tokyo, are jointly awarded the prize for their pioneering research on atomic and optical clocks.
According to the prize selection committee, Ye is noted for “outstanding contributions to the invention and development of the optical lattice clock, which enables precision tests of the fundamental laws of nature.” This work, the committee notes, has improved the precision of time measurement by 3 orders of magnitude, advancing the capabilities of atomic clocks which are pivotal for GPS and advanced communications.
Each of the five main Breakthrough Prizes award USD 3 million and winners are typically recognized during live, televised awards ceremony. This year’s ceremony has been postponed until 2022 due to COVID-19.
About The Optical Society
The Optical Society (OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light. OSA’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources, and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical, and educational achievement.
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