Biographical Sketch:
Steve Lamoreaux is a Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Yale University and the Principal Investigator of HAYSTAC (Haloscope at Yale Sensitive to Axion Cold Dark Matter).
Previous to joining the Yale faculty in 2006, Prof. Lamoreaux was a Laboratory Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), working on quantum cryptography, quantum computing, ultracold neutron physics, and leading the Dynamic Materials (Weapons Physics) Team, which developed novel techniques for Stockpile Stewardship.
Prior to that, Lamoreaux was a Research Associate Professor at the University of Washington. He conducted research in ultracold neutrons, precision laser spectroscopy, and proposed a new technique to measure the neutron EDM, which is currently being developed at the Oak Ridge Spallation Neutron Source. He made the first high-accuracy measurement of the Casimir Force in 1996.
Prof. Lamoreaux was a postdoc at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France where he worked on a U.S.-U.K. ultracold neutron electric dipole moment experiment (EDM) led by Prof. Norman Ramsey.
Lamoreaux received his Ph.D. in 1986 from the University of Washington, where he developed precision experimental techniques employing optically pumped mercury and applied those techniques to measurement of spatial isotropy and time reversal symmetry. He received his B.S. from the University of Washington and M.S. from the University of Oregon.
Prof. Lamoreaux’s interest in science, math, and electronics began at a very young age, being initially inspired by B science fiction movies and later the space race. When in the 8th grade he discovered higher level science books in the adult section of the city library— he was hooked on physics. At that time, he also became a licensed radio amateur (a hobby he still enjoys), and began applying his electronics skills to local rock bands, often spending weekends operating the audio boards and lighting systems in various venues and dives around town.
His interests and hobbies include classic rock from the 50’s and 60’s (he has been a guest many times on the Carl J. Frano oldies radio show on WPKN), gardening, maintaining a house, and tinkering with radio and electronics in his basement shop. His days of long distance running and boxing are over, but he maintains a home gym with a boxing dummy (Bob XL) and other equipment.
Research:
Steve Lamoreaux studies the properties of the Universe and the fundamental laws of physics by use of small-scale tabletop experiments. He searches for axion dark matter by developing technologies for, building, and using haloscopes at Wright Lab; and probes ultracold neutron (UCN) physics. Lamoreaux uses his prior experience in quantum computing, cryptography, and the Casimir force to develop advanced student laboratory projects.
Education:
Ph.D., University of Washington, 1986
Honors & Awards:
Lamoreaux was awarded the Pipkin Award by the American Physical Society (APS) for precision
measurement, three Los Alamos Distinguished Performance Awards, and the Henderson Prize
for an outstanding dissertation by the University of Washington.
Select Publications:
- Results from phase 1 of the HAYSTAC microwave cavity axion experiment
L. Zhong, S. Al Kenany, K.M. Backes, B.M. Brubaker, S.B. Cahn, G. Carosi, Y.V. Gurevich, W.F. Kindel, S.K. Lamoreaux, K.W. Lehnert, S.M. Lewis, M. Malnou, R.H. Maruyama, D.A. Palken, N.M. Rapidis, J.R. Root, M. Simanovskaia, T.M. Shokair, D.H. Speller, I. Urdinaran, and K.A. van Bibber
Phys. Rev. D 97, 092001 (2018). - Performance of the upgraded ultracold neutron source at Los Alamos National Laboratory and its implication for a possible neutron electric dipole moment experiment
T. M. Ito, E. R. Adamek, N. B. Callahan, J. H. Choi, S. M. Clayton, C. Cude-Woods, S. Currie, X. Ding, D. E. Fellers, P. Geltenbort, S. K. Lamoreaux, C. Y. Liu, S. MacDonald, M. Makela, C. L. Morris, R. W. Pattie Jr., J. C. Ramsey, D. J. Salvat, A. Saunders, E. I. Sharapov, S. Sjue, A. P. Sprow, Z. Tang, H. L. Weaver, W. Wei, A. R. Young
Phys. Rev. C 97, 012501(R) (2018) (arXiv:1710.05182 [physics.ins-det]). - Practical four-dimensional quantum key distribution without entanglement
Buttler, W.T; Lamoreaux, S.K.; Torgerson, J.R.
Quantum Information and Computation 12, n 1 and 2, p 0001-0008, 2012. - Observation of the thermal Casimir force
Sushkov, A.O.; Kim, W.J.; Dalvit, D.R.; Lamoreaux, S.K.
Nature Physics 7, n 3, p 230-3, 2011. - Demonstration of the Casimir force in the 0.6 to 6 micron range
Lamoreaux, S.K.
Physical Review Letters 78, n 1, p 5-8, 1997. - Neutron electric-dipole moment, ultracold neutrons and polarized 3He
Golub, R.; Lamoreaux, S.K.
Physics Reports 237, n 1, p 1-62, 1994. - A search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron
Smith, K.F.; Crampin, N.; Pendlebury, J.M.; Richardson, D.J.; Shiers, D.; Green, K.; Kilvington, A.I.; Moir, J.; Prosper, H.B.; Thompson, D.; Ramsey, N.F.; Heckel, B.R.; Lamoreaux, S.K.; Ageron, P.; Mampe, W.; Steyerl, A.
Physics Letters B 234, n 1-2, p 191-6, 1990 - INSPIRE publications
