Robust and resilient optical modulators for extreme environment applications

SBIR topic OSW27BZ02-NV004 (U.S. Department of Defense – Office of the Secretary of Defense), Phase I and II. Open to U.S. small businesses. Opens: December 2, 2026. Closes: January 6, 2027. This topic solicits new ENZ based optical modulators that can be manufactured by new approaches to improve the techniques explored in the past. If a new material (or approach) is proposed, it would be useful if the proposers discussed why this new material (or approach) is promising. Offerors must address the high temperature stability and durability of ENZ materials in air under either high temperature (up to 800C) and demonstrate ENZ-based modulation device structures, such as metal-insulator-metal or waveguide structure, at MWIR regime. Furthermore, the proposers must address optical light modulation by utilizing electrical or optical tuning, and demonstrate ultrafast switching capability with high-speed, power efficient, and compact optical modulator designs. The successful team will design and demonstrate proof-of-concept devices under high temperatures. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/