[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING DR. JOHN HALL FOR WINNING THE 2005 NOBEL PRIZE FOR 
                                PHYSICS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the 
tremendous accomplishment of one of my constituents. The Royal Swedish 
Academy of Science awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics to Dr. John Hall 
of Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Hall and Dr. Theodor Haensch of Munich, 
Germany won the Nobel Prize for the development of a laser-based 
precision spectroscopy.
  Dr. Hall is a JILA fellow at the University of Colorado and a senior 
scientist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology's 
(NIST) Quantum Physics Division. Dr. Hall has received a series of 
awards in his distinguished career, including the Department of 
Commerce Gold Medal on three separate occasions in 1969, 1974, and 
2002. He also became a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 
1984.
  In 1999, Dr. Haensch made a discovery that lasers with short pulses 
could be used to measure optical frequencies in cesium clocks. Through 
this the optical frequency comb technique that is based on the evenly 
distributed frequencies that appear like the teeth of a comb was 
developed. While the distance between frequencies can be defined 
through this technique, it did not determine the absolute value of the 
frequency. In 2000, Dr. Hall developed a simple formula to determine 
frequency displacement, thus stabilizing the frequency. Haensch and 
Hall worked together to develop an instrument that currently has wide 
commercial use.
  This instrument can measure frequencies with an accuracy of fifteen 
digits. Their work has wide ranging application that can improve 
communication and animation technology, and potentially benefit 
navigation for spacecraft. Their work also can enable the study of 
stability of constants of nature over time, improve Global Positioning 
System, and develop more accurate clocks.
  It is clear that their discoveries have opened doors into many 
sectors of research and industries. The potential for new knowledge is 
vast and wide ranging. NIST, JILA, and the University of Colorado can 
now boast three Nobel Laureates, which is testament to the 
groundbreaking and vital research being performed at these 
institutions. I am honored that these facilities are located within the 
Second Congressional District, and particularly honored that Dr. Hall 
has chosen to perform this research in Colorado. He is an asset to our 
scientific community, and is an inspiration for many young people who 
may want to pursue their interests in science.
  I, again, congratulate Dr. Hall on his remarkable achievement and the 
honor that has been bestowed upon him.

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