Physics Frontiers Centers (PFCs)
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.
Current Physics Frontiers Centers:
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Center for Living Systems University of Chicago The CLS develops theoretical and experimental approaches to develop the physics of adaptation in strongly driven systems and tackle understanding of how living matter enables adaptive responses from molecular to ecosystem scales and physiological and evolutionary time. Center faculty come from 10 UChicago departments across the physical and biological sciences. The Center will support seed projects, operate shared facilities, develop educational programs to impact physics education and run outreach to enhance STEM appreciation in the local community. |
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The Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP) University of Rochester This University of Rochester based center brings together a diverse team, spanning disciplines from plasma physics, condensed matter, and atomic physics, to astrophysics and planetary science to study matter under extreme conditions and address critical gaps in our understanding of most of the atomic and chemical constituents of the Universe. CMAP's research, education and outreach programs aim to bring a new understanding of the universe to the public and inspire and engage a new generation of scientists of all ages and backgrounds. |
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Center for the Physics of Biological Function (CPBF) CPBF, a joint effort between The Graduate Center at CUNY and Princeton University, works at the interface of physics and biology with the goal of developing a physics of biological function that connects the myriad details of life, across all scales, to fundamental and universal physical principles. CPBF focuses on new scientific opportunities and educational programs, integrating theory and experiment, research and education. |
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Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) CTBP will craft a theoretical physics framework for cells and groups of cells. To do this, the Center will combine statistical physics with biological information such as how living systems organize themselves. It will interact with local medical institutions, the University of Houston and surrounding communities, where it will serve as a focal point for theoretical biological physics. By hosting a visiting scholars program, running workshops, and coordinating student networks, CTBP will share its expertise with the biological physics community and help encourage greater participation in this research area.
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Center for Ultracold Atoms (CUA) CUA studies strongly interacting systems to better understand and ultimately control the quantum world. At the intersection of atomic, molecular, and optical physics and nanoscience, the PFC's research focuses on investigating many-body systems and strongly correlated states as well as exploring quantum coherent control of few-body systems. CUA offers a wide range of education and outreach activities for all levels, including a program focused on future high school teachers and an intensive summer course in atomic physics open to students and researchers worldwide.
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Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) The central goal of IQIM is to explore phenomena that can arise in highly entangled quantum systems using a multidisciplinary approach featuring quantum physics, condensed matter physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, and computer science. IQIM accomplishes this through both table-top experiments and theoretical investigations of quantum matter and interacting arrays of atoms, photons, and phonons. Along with numerous programs for youth, women, and underrepresented groups, this PFC's extensive outreach efforts include a collaboration with Jorge Cham's PhD Comics and IQIM's blog, Quantum Frontiers, which chronicles the lives and diverse scientific interests of IQIM's members..
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JILA Physics Frontiers Center The JILA PFC is focused on the challenge of controlling and understanding multi-particle quantum systems using the tools of atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Research investigations include how complex behaviors can emerge from simple constituents, how interactions of light with matter can be used to create new complex systems, and how cutting edge technologies can help understand molecule formation and chemical reactions. Along with topical workshops and education programs for the scientific community, JILA PFC also connects with underrepresented groups in the K-12 population through its Partnerships in Informal Science in the Community program.
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The Network in Neutrinos, Nuclear Astrophysics and Symmetries (N3AS) This PFC, based at UC Berkeley, is a collaboration of theorists who utilize astrophysical observations to answer some of the most important open questions in physics and multi-messenger astrophysics. The Center has the potential to influence the future directions of nuclear, particle, and astrophysics. The new generation of postdoctoral researchers that N3AS-PFC is training and the diverse group of students it recruits and engages through a new program for transfer students from local community colleges will be crucial to both current research and the development of the STEM workforce. |
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North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) NANOGrav will focus on the detection and characterization of gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime predicted by General Relativity. The center will look for gravitational waves with nanohertz frequencies-frequencies eleven orders of magnitude lower than those probed by the Laser Interferometry Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). NANOGrav will observe and correlate signals of millisecond pulsars, pulsating neutron stars that spin with a period on the order of a millisecond. This PFC will also interact with middle school, high school, and undergraduate students, engaging them in data collection and analysis along with public lecture programs.
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