Area-Multiplied Photonic-crystal Enhanced Devices (AMPED)
DARPA is funding research proposals to develop chip-scale, single-mode photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser devices with much higher continuous-wave output power and efficiency.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation; use of the CUI Addendum is required for key technical details. · Defense-focused DARPA program; proposals should address device performance demonstration, not general-purpose basic research.
This is a hard engineering/laser-photonics DARPA program centered on device physics and materials, with no social-science, risk-perception, communication, or policy component that matches IPPRA’s research profile. The team would not plausibly pursue this as PI-level work.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-07
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals for the Area-Multiplied Photonic-crystal Enhanced Devices (AMPED) program. The goal of AMPED is to demonstrate single-mode, diffraction-limited, continuous-wave (CW), highly efficient laser devices capable of unprecedented output power in a chip-scale form factor. This represents orders-of-magnitude improvement over the current state of the art in single-mode photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) devices. This solicitation includes a controlled unclassified information (CUI) Addendum that contains key technical details relevant to the program goals and objectives. Please see Attachment A of this PS for instructions on how to request the CUI Addendum and CUI Guide.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY.
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A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
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