Steven Hoekstra


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I am an experimental physicist specialised in the development and application of precision measurement techniques to explore the limits of particle physics. In my group we perform experiments with small quantum systems (atoms, ions, molecules) and nanoparticles. The main tools we use to study these particles are lasers, and external electric and magnetic fields. The experiments we do are typically in a very well controlled environment, shielded from all unwanted background. By doing this, the subtle effects of quantum physics become visible, and we can use these atoms, ions, molecules and nanoparticles for a range of exciting experiments. 
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[March 2024] There is currently a vacancy for a postdoc in our group. Contact me if you are interest to talk about possibilities! This is the link to apply.

Projects




NL-eEDM


Our research program to measure the electron's electric dipole moment using a cold, slow and intense beam of BaF molecules




Levitated nanospheres


We optically levitate and cool nanospheres, to explore their use as sensitive sensors.

Publications


Manipulating a beam of barium fluoride molecules using an electrostatic hexapole


Anno Touwen, Joost W.F. van Hofslot, Thijs Qualm, Richard Borchers, Roman Bause, Hendrick L. Bethlem, Alexander Boeschoten, Anastasia Borschevsky, Ties H. Fikkers, Steven Hoekstra, Klaus Jungmann, Virginia R. Marshall, Thomas B. Meijknecht, Maarten C. Mooij, Rob G.E. Timmermans, Wim Ubachs, Lorenz Willmann

ArXiv:2402:09300


A novel method to determine the phase-space distribution of a pulsed molecular beam


Maarten C. Mooij, Hendrick L. Bethlem, Alexander Boeschoten, Anastasia Borschevsky, Ties H. Fikkers, Steven Hoekstra, Joost W. F. van Hofslot, Klaus Jungmann, Virginia R. Marshall, Thomas B. Meijknecht, Rob G. E. Timmermans, Anno Touwen, Wim Ubachs, Lorenz Willmann.

ArXiv:2401:16588


Influence of source parameters on the longitudinal phase-space distribution of a pulsed cryogenic beam of barium fluoride molecules


M C Mooij, H L Bethlem, A Boeschoten, A Borschevsky, K Esajas, T H Fikkers, S Hoekstra, J W F van Hofslot, K Jungmann, V R Marshall, T B Meijknecht, R G E Timmermans, A Touwen, W Ubachs, L Willmann, Y Yin.

ArXiv:2401:16590


Pathway to cool hot molecules


Steven Hoekstra

Nature Physics, News & views, 2024


Mass and Shape Determination of Optically Levitated Nanoparticles


Bart Schellenberg, Mina Morshed Behbahani, Nithesh Balasubramanian, Ties H. Fikkers, Steven Hoekstra

Applied Physics Letters, vol. 123(11), 2023


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Courses



Courses


Electricity and Magnetism

1st year physics, applied physics and astronomy

I have taught this course from 2017-2023. The number of students has grown gradually, to about 340 students in 2022-2023.


Waves and Optics

2nd year physics, applied physics and astronomy

I have started teaching this course in 2019, and I have transformed it from traditional teaching to problem-based learning. Typically about 190 students take this course.


From small to large to life

For honours college students of FSE.

I have given this course in 2019-2021. for about 25 students, twice a year.


The Quantum World

3rd year broadening minor - university wide.

This is a course on quantum physics for non-physics students, part of the broadening minor 'Einstein's Physics: Space-time and Parallel Worlds'. About ~ 150 students take this course.



General


Educational philosphy statement

For the Senior teaching qualification program in which I was enrolled in 2022-2023, I have developed an educational philosophy statement, which you can find through the link below.



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Theses


Media

Our work in the media

Our work in the media

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