Area-Multiplied Photonic-crystal Enhanced Devices (AMPED)
DARPA is funding innovative research to develop chip-scale, single-mode, diffraction-limited, continuous-wave, highly efficient photonic-crystal laser devices with much higher output power than current state of the art.
⚑ CUI addendum with key technical details must be requested separately · federal contract solicitation; standard DARPA proposal submission rules apply
This is a pure photonics/laser-device engineering program focused on chip-scale hardware performance, not the social-science, risk perception, survey, communication, or policy research this team does. Even though it is defense-related, there is no plausible PI-level fit for anyone on the roster.
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 | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; 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.
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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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
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 →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.