Pulsed High-power Laser Accelerators to Study radiation Hardening (PHLASH)
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Department of Defense, through DARPA, is seeking proposals for the development of a prototype pulsed high-power laser accelerator system, known as PHLASH, aimed at enhancing radiation testing capabilities for microelectronic systems intended for space applications. The primary objective is to design and build a compact laser driver capable of generating 50-MeV electron beam energies at a pulse repetition rate exceeding 100 Hz, with scalability to 100 GeV and 1 kHz, all within a footprint of less than 250 m³. This initiative is critical for ensuring the reliability of space-based microelectronics, which are increasingly vital for telecommunications and other satellite applications, as it aims to provide more efficient and reliable radiation testing mechanisms. Proposals are due by April 1, 2026, with the opportunity being part of the SBIR program, and further details can be found at the solicitation agency's website: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/.