Quantum Chemistry: Inside the Universe's Coldest Test Tube

Explore the fascinating world of ultracold chemistry in this 44-minute livestream featuring physicist Dr. Alan Jamison from the University of Waterloo. Discover what happens when chemical reactions occur at temperatures colder than deep space—billionths of a degree above absolute zero—where atoms nearly stop moving entirely. Learn how scientists use powerful lasers and magnetic fields to create these extreme conditions, allowing unprecedented observation and control of chemical reactions. Understand the surprising role of quantum spin in reaction rates and the discovery of novel chemical resonances as Dr. Jamison explains how these frigid environments serve as tools to reveal fundamental truths about matter, complexity, and quantum reality. Dr. Jamison, jointly appointed to the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Quantum Computing and a former postdoc in Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Ketterle's lab at MIT, now leads cutting-edge experiments in quantum control. Presented by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, this deep dive into the science of stillness demonstrates how lowering temperatures might revolutionize the future of chemistry and quantum technology.