High-Speed Nanophotonic Spatial Light Modulators - SBIR Topic OSW26BZ04-DV012
Funding Amount:
Est. $2,000,000
Deadline to Apply:
August 19th, 2026
Objective:
The objective of this project is to develop a nanophotonic-enabled spatial light modulator array with modulation a few orders (>10X) faster than the state-of-the-art commercial technologies.
Description:
Adaptive optics (AO), with wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors based on spatial light modulators (SLMs) has been used for active laser beam control and propagation path compensation.
The liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is the most mature technology used for SLMs. But it suffers from a slow response time of tens to hundreds of milliseconds (~ kHz).
Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based movable micromirrors, known as digital micromirror device (DMD) or deformable mirror (DM) technology, offer faster spatial light modulation typically at 10 kHz to low MHz.
However, the absence of compact and inexpensive SLMs that can freely modulate the wavefront of light at a high speed is hindering the widespread adoption of popular technologies such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging), free-space laser communications, quantum sensing, imaging, etc.
The advances in nanophotonics and integrated photonic technologies offer new opportunities to address these grand challenges in adaptive optics by providing compact, high-speed, and high-performance reconfigurable metasurfaces and SLMs with capabilities for amplitude and phase modulation.
PHASE I:
As this is a Direct-to-Phase II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic.
To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Air Force expects the applicant to demonstrate the feasibility of the switching and modulation technology that is currently at an acceptable stage to Phase II.
For a proposer to demonstrate that their technology is at an appropriate level for a D2P2 award, the proposer should have experience developing numerical simulations and predictive calculations in similar device technology and the requisite experience and facilities to perform electrical and optical measurements for performance characterization.
Applicants interested in participating in this topic must include in their response to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and “Phase I-type” effort.
Documentation should include all relevant information, including, but not limited to:
Technical reports
Test data
Prototype designs/models
Performance goals/results for establishing the scientific and economic feasibility of the proposed work
Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the offeror.
PHASE II:
Demonstrate a nanophotonic-enabled spatial light modulator with both amplitude and phase modulation capabilities at a speed greater than 1Gbps.
The proposal should provide demonstrations of platform technology for multiple use cases. These are to include:
SLMs at near infrared (NIR) wavelength for classical and quantum sensing.
SLMs at midwave infrared (MWIR) wavelength for classical and quantum imaging.
It is expected that a fully integrated prototype system—comprising all custom hardware, software, modifiable/changeable code, and at least 5 devices—will be delivered to, installed, and demonstrated in a representative laboratory environment at AFRL.
This operational milestone and the delivery of all associated source code and technical documentation related to operating the prototype shall be completed no later than one quarter (three months) prior to the conclusion of the Phase II period of performance.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:
Phase III efforts are intended to transition technologies developed with further scaling of performance metrics for dual use applications into operational use and/or commercial markets, leveraging non-SBIR/STTR funding.
Phase III work may include productization, integration, certification, and large-scale deployment of the capability developed in Phases I and II.
By effectively executing Phase III effort and transitioning the technology into operational and commercial use, the project aims to maximize the impact and value of the SBIR/STTR-funded R&D efforts, ultimately contributing to national security, economic growth, and technological innovation.
A design for performance approach for defense system in partnership with a defense contractor and a design for cost for commercial applications will be planned.
Who will win?
If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any company that meets the following criteria:
For-profit company
U.S.-owned and controlled.
500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)
How Can BW&CO Help?
1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.
2) Proposal strategy and review.
3) Administrative & compliance support.
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