Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 12 1241
Apply for PD 12 1241
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Experimental Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 20, 2014 and posted on May 15, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Replaced by PD 14 1241.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled "Experimental Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics" (Funding Opportunity Number PD 12 1241) supported research in experimental atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics across four main subareas: Precision Measurements, Atomic and Molecular Dynamics, Atomic and Molecular Structure, and Optical Physics. The program was aimed at advancing fundamental understanding and experimental capabilities in AMO science, with emphasis on both the development of new techniques and the use of those techniques to probe core questions in physics.
Within the first three subareas (Precision Measurements, Atomic and Molecular Dynamics, and Atomic and Molecular Structure), the opportunity emphasized experimental work on quantum control and manipulation of atoms and ions, including cooling and trapping methods. It also highlighted low-temperature collision dynamics and studies of collective quantum behavior in weakly interacting gases, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and dilute Fermi-degenerate systems. Another major focus was high-precision measurements tied to fundamental constants and tests of underlying physical laws, along with investigations into how electron correlation influences atomic and molecular structure and dynamical behavior. Taken together, these themes point to a program interested in experiments that can both refine measurement science and deepen understanding of quantum many-body and few-body systems.
In the Optical Physics subarea, NSF support targeted research on how light interacts with matter under extreme or highly controlled conditions. Specific examples included the nonlinear response of isolated atoms exposed to intense, ultrashort electromagnetic fields, which connects to ultrafast and strong-field physics. The program also cited atom-cavity interactions at high fields, reflecting interest in cavity quantum electrodynamics and regimes where light-matter coupling can be engineered to explore new physical effects. In addition, it supported studies of the quantum properties of the electromagnetic field itself, aligning with areas such as quantum optics and fundamental investigations of field quantization, fluctuations, and nonclassical light.
Administratively, this was a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, associated with CFDA number 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences). Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning any applicant type could apply unless further limited by details in the full announcement. The solicitation indicated no cost sharing or matching requirement. The original posting date was May 15, 2012, with an original closing date of October 31, 2012, and it referenced an annual full proposal target date on the last Wednesday in October (per PHY divisional guidance at the time). The record also indicates the opportunity was later replaced by PD 14 1241 and archived on August 20, 2014. For access issues, the notice directed applicants to NSF grants.gov support via grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
FAQs: NSF Experimental Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics (PD 12 1241)
What is this NSF funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the National Science Foundation (NSF) program titled "Experimental Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics" with Funding Opportunity Number PD 12 1241. It supported experimental research in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics aimed at advancing fundamental understanding and experimental capabilities.
What research areas did the program support?
The program supported experimental AMO physics across four main subareas:
- Precision Measurements
- Atomic and Molecular Dynamics
- Atomic and Molecular Structure
- Optical Physics
What was the overall scientific goal of the program?
The program aimed to advance fundamental understanding in AMO science and to strengthen experimental capabilities. It emphasized both (1) developing new experimental techniques and (2) using those techniques to probe core questions in physics.
What kinds of projects fit under Precision Measurements?
Based on the description, a strong fit included high-precision measurements tied to fundamental constants and experimental tests of underlying physical laws. The program was interested in experiments that refine measurement science while pushing fundamental physics questions.
What kinds of projects fit under Atomic and Molecular Dynamics?
The opportunity emphasized experimental work on low-temperature collision dynamics and studies of collective quantum behavior in weakly interacting gases. Examples mentioned included Bose-Einstein condensates and dilute Fermi-degenerate systems.
What kinds of projects fit under Atomic and Molecular Structure?
The program highlighted investigations into how electron correlation influences atomic and molecular structure and dynamical behavior, indicating interest in experiments that clarify the role of correlation in few-body and many-body systems.
Did the program emphasize quantum control and manipulation techniques?
Yes. Within the Precision Measurements, Atomic and Molecular Dynamics, and Atomic and Molecular Structure subareas, the opportunity emphasized experimental work on quantum control and manipulation of atoms and ions, including cooling and trapping methods.
What specific systems were called out as examples for collective quantum behavior studies?
The description specifically referenced weakly interacting gases such as Bose-Einstein condensates and dilute Fermi-degenerate systems.
What did the Optical Physics subarea focus on?
Optical Physics support targeted research on light-matter interaction under extreme or highly controlled conditions. The examples provided included strong-field and ultrafast regimes, engineered light-matter coupling, and studies of the quantum properties of the electromagnetic field.
What are examples of Optical Physics topics mentioned in the notice?
Examples cited included:
- The nonlinear response of isolated atoms exposed to intense, ultrashort electromagnetic fields (ultrafast/strong-field physics)
- Atom-cavity interactions at high fields (cavity quantum electrodynamics and engineered coupling regimes)
- Studies of the quantum properties of the electromagnetic field itself (quantum optics and nonclassical light)
What category and CFDA number was this opportunity associated with?
Administratively, it was listed in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and associated with CFDA number 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Was the opportunity discretionary?
Yes. The notice described this as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning any applicant type could apply unless further limited by details in the full announcement.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was the opportunity originally posted?
The original posting date listed for PD 12 1241 was May 15, 2012.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed was October 31, 2012.
Was there a recurring target date mentioned?
Yes. The notice referenced an annual full proposal target date on the last Wednesday in October, consistent with PHY divisional guidance at that time.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The record indicates PD 12 1241 was later replaced by PD 14 1241 and archived on August 20, 2014.
What replaced this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was replaced by PD 14 1241 (as indicated in the record).
Who should be contacted for access issues related to Grants.gov submission?
For access issues, the notice directed applicants to NSF grants.gov support via email at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Does the description prioritize technique development, scientific questions, or both?
Both. The program emphasized development of new techniques as well as applying those techniques to probe core questions in physics.
What experimental themes connected multiple subareas of the program?
Across the first three subareas, recurring themes included quantum control and manipulation of atoms and ions (including cooling and trapping), low-temperature collisions, collective quantum behavior in weakly interacting gases, high-precision measurements tied to fundamental constants and tests of physical laws, and electron-correlation effects in atomic and molecular structure and dynamics.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PD 12 1241) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
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| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G12AS20041 Funding Number: G12AS20041 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North and West Alaska CESU Apply for G12AS20040 Funding Number: G12AS20040 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU Apply for G12AS20039 Funding Number: G12AS20039 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Physics at the Information Frontier Apply for PD 12 7553 Funding Number: PD 12 7553 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Apply for W911NF 12 R 0009 Funding Number: W911NF 12 R 0009 Agency: Dept of the Army Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G12AS20038 Funding Number: G12AS20038 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU Apply for G12AS20042 Funding Number: G12AS20042 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G12AS20043 Funding Number: G12AS20043 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G12AS20044 Funding Number: G12AS20044 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM AK Weed Free Research and Development, Alaska Apply for L12AS00102 Funding Number: L12AS00102 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| ROSES 2012 Atmospheric Composition Upper Atmospheric Composition Observations Apply for NNH12ZDA001N UACO Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N UACO Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Earth Science U.S. Participating Investigator Apply for NNH12ZDA001N ESUSPI Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N ESUSPI Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 CloudSat And CALIPSO Science Team Recompete Apply for NNH12ZDA001N CCST Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N CCST Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Remote Sensing of Water Quality Apply for NNH12ZDA001N WATER Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N WATER Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2012 Joint Fire Science Program Proposal Apply for L12AS00105 Funding Number: L12AS00105 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,766,652 |
| 2012 Joint Fire Science Program Proposals Apply for L12AS00106 Funding Number: L12AS00106 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $297,630 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for G12AS20046 Funding Number: G12AS20046 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Informal STEM Learning Apply for 12 560 Funding Number: 12 560 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Deep Exploration and Filtering of Text (DEFT) Apply for DARPA BAA 12 47 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 12 47 Agency: DARPA Information Innovation Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G12AS20045 Funding Number: G12AS20045 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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