Nicholas R. (Nick) Hutzler
Professor of Physics
B.S., California Institute of Technology, 2007; A.M., Harvard University, 2009; Ph.D., 2014. Visiting Associate, Caltech, 2017; Assistant Professor, 2017-26; Professor, 2026-.
Research Interests: Lasers to control engineered molecules for table-top experiments in fundamental nuclear, particle, chemical, and quantum physics
Overview
Professor Hutzler grew up in La Crosse, WI, received his undergraduate degree from Caltech, and his PhD from Harvard University.
Selected Awards
- Keck Scholar, 2026
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2025
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 2021
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Fundamental Physics Innovation Convening Award, 2020
- NSF CAREER Award, 2019
- NIST Precision Measurement Grant, 2018
Selected Awards
- Keck Scholar, 2026
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2025
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 2021
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Fundamental Physics Innovation Convening Award, 2020
- NSF CAREER Award, 2019
- NIST Precision Measurement Grant, 2018
Patents
- Provisional patent 63/440,735 (Caltech file 8953-P); Cavity for Intensity Buildup of Multiple Lasers, Yi Zeng and Nicholas Hutzler
- Provisional patent CIT-9250-P; Broadband Cryogenic Molecular Visible Spectrometer, Nicholas Hutzler
- Provisional Patent CIT-9282-P; Robust Ablation Production of Gas-Phase Atoms and Molecules, Nicholas Hutzler, Chandler Conn, Madison Howard, Yuxi Yang, Phelan Yu
Patents
- Provisional patent 63/440,735 (Caltech file 8953-P); Cavity for Intensity Buildup of Multiple Lasers, Yi Zeng and Nicholas Hutzler
- Provisional patent CIT-9250-P; Broadband Cryogenic Molecular Visible Spectrometer, Nicholas Hutzler
- Provisional Patent CIT-9282-P; Robust Ablation Production of Gas-Phase Atoms and Molecules, Nicholas Hutzler, Chandler Conn, Madison Howard, Yuxi Yang, Phelan Yu
Related News
Read more newsRelated Courses
Ph 107. Classical and Laser Optics.
9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2025-26.
Prerequisites: Ph 2 ab or Ph 12 ab.
An introduction and overview of classical and laser optics. We will develop tools and concepts to understand the behavior of light, such as ray transfer matrix analysis, wave optics, diffraction, coherence, interference, and polarization. These tools will then be used to understand the action of optical elements, imaging, resonators, waveguides, fiber optics, Gaussian beams, interferometers, and other techniques and concepts commonly encountered in research settings.
Instructor: Hutzler
Instructor: Hutzler
Ph/APh 137 ab. Atoms and Photons.
9 units (3-0-6); first, second terms, 2025-26.
Prerequisites: Ph 125 ab or equivalent, or instructor's permission.
This course will provide an introduction to the interaction of atomic systems with photons. Each term can be taken independent of each other. The main emphasis is on laying the foundation for understanding current research that utilizes cold atoms and quantized light fields. First term: quantization of light fields, quantized light matter interaction, open system dynamics, entanglement, master equations, quantum jump formalism. Applications to cavity QED, optical lattices, and Rydberg arrays. Second term: resonance phenomena, atomic structure, and the semi-classical interaction of atoms with static and oscillating electromagnetic fields. Techniques such as laser cooling/trapping, coherent manipulation and control of atomic systems.
Instructors: Endres, Hutzler
Instructors: Endres, Hutzler