Quantum Chemistry: Inside the Universe’s Coldest Test Tube

Video Description

What happens when you run chemical reactions at temperatures colder than deep space—so cold that atoms practically stand still? In this livestream, physicist Dr. Alan Jamison takes us inside the cutting-edge world of ultracold chemistry, where researchers use powerful lasers and magnetic fields to chill atoms to billionths of a degree above absolute zero. These extreme conditions offer more than novelty: they allow scientists to observe and control chemical reactions with unprecedented precision. From the surprising role of quantum spin in reaction rates to the discovery of new kinds of chemical resonances, Jamison reveals how cold isn’t just a setting—it’s a tool to unlock fundamental truths about matter, complexity, and the quantum nature of reality. Join us for a deep dive into the science of stillness, and discover how lowering the temperature might raise the stakes for the future of chemistry and quantum technology. 📅 Stay in the loop: Sign up for our newsletter: https://landing.perimeterinstitute.ca/newsletter-signup 🔬 Support science: Donate to Perimeter: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/info/donors About the Speaker Dr. Alan Jamison is a physicist at the University of Waterloo, jointly appointed to the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Quantum Computing. His research explores ultracold atoms and molecules to uncover the quantum foundations of chemistry, many-body physics, and information science. A former postdoc in Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Ketterle’s lab at MIT, Jamison now leads experiments that push the limits of quantum control. Watch the full livestream, including Q&A here: https://youtube.com/live/52mxsq6ovls Follow Perimeter Institute: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pioutreach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perimeterinstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/perimeter-institute Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/perimeterinstitute.ca Perimeter Institute (charitable registration number 88981 4323 RR0001) is the world’s largest independent research hub devoted to theoretical physics, created to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos.