I.I. Rabi Prize in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
To recognize outstanding early-career research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. The prize consists of $10,000 and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. An allowance will be provided for travel expenses of the recipient to the Society meeting at which the prize is presented. It is awarded in odd-numbered years.
Rules and eligibility
Nominations are open to scientists of all nationalities, regardless of the geographical location at which the work was done, who have held a Ph.D. for 10 years or less from the nomination deadline. The prize shall ordinarily be awarded to one person but may be shared when all recipients have contributed to the same accomplishment. Nominations will be considered for two review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline and all other eligibility criteria are still met.
Process and selection
The nomination package must include:
- A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).
In addition, the nomination should include:
- A biographical sketch.
- A list of the most important publications.
- At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
- Up to five reprints or preprints.
Selection Committee
- David DeMille
- Svetlana Malinovskaya
- Norman Yao
- Cheng Chin
- Darrick Chang
Establishment and support
The prize was endowed in 1989 by family, friends, and colleagues of I. I. Rabi.
Recent recipients
Norman Ying Yao
2025 recipient
For pioneering contributions to broad areas of atomic, molecular, and optical physics, including quantum information, metrology, and many-body physics.
Adam M. Kaufman
2023 recipient
For seminal developments in optical tweezer arrays and clocks based on alkaline earth atoms, with applications to metrology and quantum information processing.
Monika Schleier-Smith
2021 recipient
For seminal work in quantum optics and for discoveries at the intersection of AMO, condensed matter, and quantum information, including original contributions to spin squeezing in optical cavities, engineering long-range interactions for quantum simulations, and metrology, and for theoretical development of a measurement protocol related to the scrambling of quantum information.
Kang-Kuen Ni
2019 recipient
For seminal work on ultracold molecules, including original contributions to the understanding of chemical reactions in the quantum regime, deterministic creation of individual molecules with optical tweezers, and development of novel, high-precision techniques to interrogate and control the complete set of internal molecular resources.
Martin Zwierlein
2017 recipient
For seminal studies of ultracold Fermi gases, including precision measurements of the equation of state, the observation of superfluidity, solitons, vortices, and polarons, the realization of a microscope for fermions in a lattice; and the production of chemically stable polar molecules.
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.
I.I. Rabi Prize in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
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As approved by the Council of Representatives on April 10, 2025.
APS honors exceptional contributions to the physics community, including travel support for students and early career physicists.