Jack Harris

Jack Harris is Professor of Physics at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Physics. His research focuses on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, with an emphasis on Optomechanics, Radiation Pressure, Optical control of microstructures, Mechanical control of nonclassical light, Persistent currents in normal-metal rings, and related areas. Harris's work explores the quantum aspects of motion in macroscopic objects that integrate mechanical, optical, and superfluid components. His group develops ultrasensitive force detectors to measure quantum fluctuations in visible-scale objects and investigates novel topological features in coupled oscillators. Harris received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara, where he studied quantum Hall systems. He joined Yale's faculty in 2004 and has contributed to advancements in quantum optomechanics, including the development of the 'membrane-in-the-middle' device and experiments involving high-finesse optical cavities with superfluid helium.