Physics at the Information Frontier

Description

PIF includes support for data-enabled science, community research networks, and new computational infrastructure as well as for next-generation computing. It focuses on cyber-infrastructure for the disciplines supported by the Physics Division but also recognizes and fosters the broader impacts on other disciplines and on more general cyber-infrastructure. This program (PIF) is intended to provide support for physics proposals in three subareas: 1) computational physics, 2) information or data intensive physics, and 3) quantum information science and revolutionary computing. The computational physics subarea emphasizes infrastructure for high performance computing in physics requiring significant long-term code or tool development, and/or medium to large community research networks involving physicists or physicists interacting with applied mathematicians and computer scientists. Priority will be given to proposals which, in addition to compelling scientific goals, have a computational advance or new enabling capability. Proposals can include either innovation in computing such as (but not limited to) algorithm development or use of new architecture or provide improvement to community codes or cyberinfrastructure. Information or data intensive physics seeks proposals to develop rapid, secure and efficient access to physics data stores on exabytes scales via heterogeneous and distributed computing resources and networks of varying capability and reliability and to develop internally consistent approaches to the usage of common resources required by large community research networks and multiple collaborations and serving virtual science organizations on a global scale. Examples include provision of data services including providing reliable digital preservation, access, integration, and curation capabilities associated with data from Physics Division experimental facilities and the tools and data handling to maximize the scientific payoff from the data.Priority will be given to proposals which develop tools which can serve a broad community within physics or reach out to other communities in need of rapid, secure access to large data stores or which bring dramatic new capabilities to a specific sub-area of physics. Quantum information and revolutionary computing supports theoretical and experimental proposals that explore applications of quantum mechanics to new computing paradigms for physics or that foster interactions between the physical, mathematical and computer scientists which push the frontiers of quantum-based information, transmission and manipulation. Priority will be given to proposals which utilize the tools of modern physics to foster new approaches to our understanding of quantum computation, quantum cryptography and/or quantum communication. Proposals that cross Divisional lines are welcome but the Physics Division encourages the PI to request a co-review by mentioning the other divisional program on the cover sheet. This ensures a co-review and the participation of the other program in the review process. Proposals must address broader impacts and may include an educational component.

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