Electronic, Photonic, Magnetic, and Quantum Devices (EPMQD)

The Electronic, Photonic, Magnetic, and Quantum Devices (EPMQD) program supports fundamental research on devices with new and/or enhanced capabilities based on their structure and material properties. EPMQD’s goal is to expand the frontiers of micro-, nano- and quantum- devices. Innovations will advance artificial intelligence, computing, communications, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and other domains. The program encourages research based on emerging ideas for miniaturization, integration, and energy efficiency.

Electronic devices

The EPMQD program supports research on semiconductor and other electronic devices. These include transistors; photodiodes; power generation devices; power switching devices; light-emitting devices; display devices; physical and chemical sensing devices; actuators; and multifunctional devices. Proposals should emphasize aspects such as design, theory, simulation and modeling, fabrication, and scaling. Proposals may use  machine learning to advance the research. Devices of interest include those comprised of crystalline, thin-film, amorphous, and organic/hybrid/perovskite semiconductors.

The program supports research on: ultra-low-power electronic devices; high-voltage and high-power devices including diodes and transistors; high-frequency devices such as high-electron-mobility transistors and heterojunction bipolar transistors; devices for use in heterogeneous integration; devices exploiting reduced dimensionality and quantum effects such as quantum dots, quantum wires, and quantum wells or sheets; and devices that operate under extreme conditions such as cryogenic temperatures or ionizing radiation.

Photonic devices

The EPMQD program supports research in light–matter interactions; it also supports research on the principles, materials, devices, and architectures that enable photonic and optically mediated technologies. The program emphasizes discovery and understanding of underlying physical mechanisms—spanning classical, optical, and quantum regimes—and translates that into novel devices, components, sensors, and systems. Areas of interest include photonics; plasmonics; polaritonics; nonlinear and ultrafast optics; nanophotonics; and photon–phonon interactions, as well as new capabilities in imaging, sensing, computing, and communications.

The program advances devices across the electromagnetic spectrum, from ultraviolet through visible/infrared into terahertz (THz) and microwave. It supports emerging areas including advanced emitters and detectors; photonics based on artificially made atoms such as metamaterials; integrated and heterogeneous photonic platforms; chip-scale and/or system-relevant photonic interconnects; high-performance imaging and sensing components; and nonlinear and ultrafast photonic devices. It also supports quantum photonic technologies such as single-photon sources and detectors, entanglement-enabling components, and scalable quantum photonic circuits.

Magnetic and/or highly-correlated devices

The EPMQD program funds research on novel devices, components, and systems that use magnetic, superconducting, topological, and other highly-correlated materials. These can be new devices to push traditional limits, enabling high-speed, low-power computing, sensing and communication operations, and secure quantum communication.

Key topics include spintronics (e.g., magnetic logic and memory) and highly correlated devices. Of particular interest are devices based on alter-magnetism; p-wave magnetism; topological materials or 2D materials; magnons; and topological and superconducting devices using novel materials and designs.

Quantum devices

The EPMQD program advances next-generation quantum technologies with electronic, photonic, and magnetic devices. It prioritizes reliable, scalable, and integrated systems that offer robust performance, ease of manufacturing, and interoperability. The program aims to create quantum devices and platforms that operate in real-world environments.

Novel quantum technologies of interest span three key areas: computing, networking, and sensing. Topics include new device concepts and materials; heterogeneous integration; cryogenic and low-noise control/readout; photonic–electronic co-design; scalable interconnects; reliability and validation methodologies; and architectures that support the performance and operation of real-world systems.

Partnerships: To speed discovery and innovation, NSF partners with federal agencies, industry, international groups, and others. Current opportunities are at NSF ENG Partnerships.

This program advances NSF’s mission as given in the NSF organic statute (42 U.S.C. 1861, et seq.).