Lasers for Universal Microscale Optical Systems (LUMOS)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office seeks innovative research proposals through its Lasers for Universal Microscale Optical Systems (LUMOS) program to develop heterogeneous photonic integrated circuit platforms incorporating on-chip optical gain. Proposals are due February 7, 2020 for one of three technical areas: scaling complexity with gain in silicon photonics foundries; high power gain with components handling RF up to 110 GHz and 1 W total power; or broad spectrum gain across 400-900nm. Evaluation will be based on the ability to achieve very large scale photonic circuitry, integrate high power gain with low loss materials enabling radio frequency operation beyond 100 GHz, or develop visible and near-infrared photonics platforms.

There is no set-aside designation. Work will be coded under Research and Development in Photonic Components and Subassemblies (PSC Y3PB) and Research and Development in Optoelectronic and Photonic Equipment Manufacturing (NAICS 335314). DARPA anticipates total funding of $70 million distributed across the three technical areas, with multiple awards expected over research periods of 48 months developing components and demonstrating applications starting July 1, 2020.