Resilient Ultra Short Pulsed Laser Sources - RFI

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Multi X Office issued a Request for Information (RFI) on compact, rugged millijoule-class ultra-short pulsed laser sources, with responses due by November 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This RFI is unclassified and carries no set-aside restriction; responses are welcome from private and public companies, individuals, universities, research centers, not-for-profit institutions, and U.S. Government-sponsored laboratories.

DARPA seeks innovative approaches in three primary areas: methods to achieve compact and rugged millijoule-class ultra-short pulsed laser systems with sub-picosecond pulses at gigahertz to tens of kilohertz repetition rates; approaches to maintain mode-locking under environmental stresses including vibration, thermal transients, and conditions specified in MIL-STD-810H for operational aircraft; and techniques for broad tuning across wavelength, pulse width, pulse energy, repetition rate, and arbitrary waveform generation in compact, rugged form factors. Responses must be submitted as unprotected Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or PDF documents using 12-point font and 1-inch margins. The format requires a one-page cover page with title and organizational/contact information, a ten-page maximum technical response discussing capabilities, metrics, technical challenges, development strategy, and current data with clear delineation between simulation and experimental results versus state-of-the-art comparisons, and a one-page reference section. Respondents should submit non-proprietary information when possible; proprietary data must be clearly marked. DARPA intends to conduct individual follow-up discussions with respondents and may use responses to inform future program research thrusts and performance targets. Contact Dr. Justin Cohen, MXO Program Manager, at DARPA-SN-26-124@darpa.mil.