David Wineland wins 2012 Nobel Prize in physics

David J. Wineland, a lecturer in the University of Colorado Boulder physics department, has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in physics. Wineland is a physicist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder and internationally recognized for developing the technique of using lasers to cool ions to near absolute zero. His experiments have been used to test theories in quantum physics and may lead to the development of quantum computers. He shared the prize with Serge Haroche of France.

David Wineland in his lab at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder.

Tom O'Brian, chief of the time and frequency division for the National Institute of Standards, raises a glass of sparkling apple cider in honor of David Wineland in the NIST lobby following a press conference regarding Wineland's Nobel Physics award. Wineland has CU graduate students working in his lab. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)

David Wineland talking to CU administrators.

David Wineland, a CU-Boulder lecturer and NIST researcher, far left, chats with CU-Boulder faculty (from right) Stein Sture, Vice Chancellor for Research; Paul Beale, chair of the physics department; and John Cumalat, physics professor. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)

Eric Cornell, a CU-Boulder and JILA researcher and 2001 Nobel Prize winner, left, smiles as David Wineland, a CU-Boulder lecturer and NIST researcher, is introduced at a press conference announcing Wineland's 2012 Nobel Physics award. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)