To recognize and encourage outstanding work in atomic physics or surface physics.
To recognize doctoral thesis research of outstanding quality and achievement in atomic, molecular, or optical physics and to encourage effective written and oral presentation of research results.
To recognize and enhance outstanding experimental advancements in the fields of atomic and molecular spectroscopy or chemical physics.
To recognize and encourage outstanding research in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics by investigators who have held a Ph.D. for 10 years or less.
To recognize outstanding accomplishment in the two fields in which Norman Ramsey excelled: (1) Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, and (2) Precision Tests of Fundamental Laws & Symmetries.
The prize was established in recognition of the outstanding contributions of Will Allis to the study of ionized gases.