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DoW/OSD · DoW SBIR 2027 BAA

OSW27BZ02-NV004 — Robust and resilient optical modulators for extreme environment applications

Pre-Release | released 2026-11-04 | opens 2026-12-02 | closes 2027-01-06 | CMMC Level 1, SBIR

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TPOC: Evgeniya Lock <[email protected]>; Heungsoo Kim <[email protected]>

Keywords: Robust and resilient nanophotonic devices, Epsilon Near Zero (ENZ) materials, Transparent conducting oxides, Mid-wave infrared (MWIR), Advanced materials, Electro-optic modulator, Ultrafast switching devices, Extreme environment.

Technology areas: Air Platform, Battlespace, Electronics, Ground Sea, Materials, Sensors, Space Platforms, Weapons

Objective

The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ)-based optical modulating devices that can be resilient/robust to extreme environments such as high temperatures and strong UV irradiation.

Description

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.

Phase I

Phase I seeks complete characterization data of new ENZ material that can be used in extreme environments such as high temperatures and high UV laser irradiation with an ultrafast optical modulation in the MWIR window (3-5 um). Offerors must address the high temperature stability and durability of ENZ materials in air under either high temperature (up to 800C) or intense laser irradiation up to 10 MWcm -2 and demonstrate ENZ-based modulation device structures, such as metal-insulator-metal or waveguide structure, at MWIR regime. If this Phase I is successful, plan to manufacture ENZ-based optical modulators operatable in the near-IR to mid-IR windows in this extreme environment. Documentation may comprise technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, measured data, and design artifacts sufficient to substantiate the scientific, technical, and commercial merit required to enter Phase II.

Phase II

Awardee(s) will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate a robust and resilient optical modulator based on ENZ material for improved image processing, refining system requirements in coordination with the topic’s principal investigator. The effort will include: electro-optic phase and amplitude modulation in single device in ENZ material-based waveguide structure at MWIR; optical field confinement effect occurring in near ENZ wavelength that can be tuned by electrically or optically. Key metrics include throughput, low optical losses, low operating voltages, bandwidth, and robustness to high temperatures and laser irradiations.

Phase III / dual use

Energy-efficient, ultrafast, and compact devices of this type have broad defense and commercial applications. Military uses include compact thermal-imaging systems, RF-independent communication, payload, and deployable platforms where SWaP-C reduction is critical. Commercial applications include high temperature energy harvesting systems, ultrafast switching modulators, and all-optical switching devices. Devices meeting the desired criteria would provide a considerable improvement over existing solutions and find widespread application in these areas.

References

  1. M. Shabaninezhad, H. Mehrvar, E. Bernier, L. Ramunno, and P. Berini, "Plasmonic electro-optic modulators based on epsilon-near-zero materials: comparing the classical drift-diffusion and Schrödinger-Poisson coupling models," Opt. Express 33, 4474-4490 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.544216
  2. A. Jahid et al, “A contemporary survey on free space optical communication: Potentials, technical challenges, recent advances and research direction, Journal of Network and Computer Applications 200, (2022) 103311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2021.103311.
  3. H. Jiang et al, “Broad-Band Ultrafast All-Optical Switching Based on Enhanced Nonlinear Absorption in Corrugated Indium Tin Oxide Films,” ACS Nano 16, 12878 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c05139

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