Welcome to The Colombo Lab at the University of Connecticut!

We are a research group specializing in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics. Our main objective is to gain a deep understanding of the universe by observing it with unparalleled precision. Leveraging our expertise, we design quantum-enhanced sensors and simulators to pursue our goal.

Our scientific vision of harnessing quantum systems encompasses a wide range of applications. Leveraging the unique properties of quantum phenomena, such as entanglement and superposition, is revolutionizing fields like quantum sensing, quantum simulation, and quantum information processing. The possibilities are awe-inspiring, and it is an exciting time to be part of this cutting-edge scientific endeavor.


Latest News

November 2025

Excited to announce that UConn’s new 4-course, fully online Quantum Science & Technology Certificate officially launches. I join colleagues D. Valente, J. Hancock, D. McCarron, G. Dunne and P. Volkov in bringing this cutting-edge program to life. Designed for professionals from diverse backgrounds, the certificate offers a sequential roadmap from quantum fundamentals to quantum computing, materials, and sensing.

August 2025

“Don’t Let the Professor Drive the Bus!”
Professor Wright, from Adelphi University, ‘squeezed’ his students in their university van and drove up to Storrs from Long Island to visit Ultracold AMO labs at UConn! It has been delightful meeting and talking to them… and we finally found that our Rb vacuum chamber is 20 years old!
https://cosmicpathways.org/2025/08/20/dont-let-the-professor-drive-the-bus-our-trip-to-uconns-laser-cooling-labs/

June 2025

Rubidium 85 MOT obtained in the UHV chamber (~10-11 mbar) . We observe a lifetime of multiple minutes. The MOT in the image is still clearly off the focal point.

June 2025

We attended the 2025 Atomic Physics GRC at the Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. With no surprise, the conference has been great and we all had great exchanges with the other attendees.
Here is a picture of the UConn crew, composed by the McCarron’s group and ours.