The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development and qualification of application-specific vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) designed for use in quantum sensors and clocks (qVCSELs). The objective is to create qVCSELs that meet stringent performance requirements for various applications, including atomic magnetometers and clocks, which are critical for position, navigation, timing, and other defense operations. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of chip-scale quantum sensors, which have become increasingly vital in military and potential medical applications. Interested parties must submit their proposals by July 23, 2025, with a maximum funding amount of $2,095,000 for a 30-month performance period. For more details, visit the solicitation page at [SBIR.gov](https://www.sbir.gov/topics/12169).

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Quantum Science (including Encryption & Computing); Microelectronics (ME) 

 

OBJECTIVE: This project will develop and qualify application-specific vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for use in quantum sensors and clocks (qVCSELs). 

 

DESCRIPTION: Quantum sensors (qSensors), including atomic magnetometers and clocks, provide essential capabilities across the DOD, including position, navigation and timing (PNT), command, control, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR), remote sensing, and imaging. Over the past two decades, evolution of micro-mechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques, combined with advances in opto-electronics and microwave electronics, have enabled a new generation of battery-powered “chip-scale” atomic clocks (CSAC) and magnetometers (CSAM). The new generation of chip-scale qSensors enable disruptive capabilities across large ensembles of devices in challenging environments. 

 

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) are essential to the operation and performance of chip-scale qSensors. VCSELs are primarily utilized for short-haul data communications but have also found wide use in IR illumination and range finding applications. VCSELs for qSensors, “qVCSELs,” represent a tiny slice of the VCSEL market, compared to the large commodity applications, but have far stricter performance requirements. To date, qSensor manufacturers have succeeded with minor modifications to commodity VCSEL designs, combined with extensive testing and screening, to select those VCSELs with suitable noise properties to support qSensor performance. 

 

This program seeks to develop qVCSELs specifically designed and optimized for qSensor applications by specification and design. 

 

Considering differing requirements for atomic clocks vs. magnetometers, as well as two possible atomic species, cesium vs. rubidium, four different qVCSELs are sought, though proposers may address any or all of the variants. Specifications for the four variant qVCSELs are included in Appendix A.1 and A.2. Proposals for a single device that addresses two applications, e.g. rubidium clock and magnetometer, are encouraged but not required. 

 

PHASE I: In order to qualify for this DPII program, the proposer must have a demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, and test electrically-pumped single-transverse-mode GaAs and AlGaAs VCSELs. Preference will be given to those proposers who provide documentation and delivery of VCSEL devices to qSensor manufacturers and of performance data of those VCSELs and qSensors. It is not necessary that the proposer have developed techniques to measure VCSEL performance metrics at the levels required by this solicitation but, in this case, the development of the necessary metrology must be included in the project plan.  

 

PHASE II: In the first 12 months of the program, the vendor will design, fabricate, and test devices to compliance against one or more of the qVCSEL specifications in Appendix A.1 and/or Appendix A.2. The vendor will provide a test report showing measurements of all parameters, except lifetime, for a minimum of 5 devices and will deliver these same 5 prototype devices to the government for independent evaluation. 

 

The vendor will provide samples qVCSELs to one or more vendors of qSensors and facilitate demonstration of compliant qSensor performance utilizing the vendor’s qVCSELs. If additional funding is required to support the vendor this must be included in the program budget. 

After 18 months, the vendor will submit a report documenting performance of a minimum of 5 of the latest prototype devices against each specification and deliver these same 5 devices to the government for independent evaluation. The vendor will submit qSensor performance data, measured by the collaborating qSensor vendor(s) demonstrating performance equivalent or superior to that obtained with legacy VCSELs.  

 

If sufficient performance is demonstrated at the conclusion of the 18-month period, the vendor will then provide within a 12-month period life-testing of the qVCSELs, iteration of the device design/manufacture/test as necessary, and release to production. At the conclusion of the period of performance, the vendor will provide a final report to the government, including production statistics on no less than 100 devices, measured against all specifications, as well as life test report demonstrating the expected lifetime of the qVCSEL. The vendor will provide 10 qVCSELs of the final design to the government for independent evaluation. 

 

At the conclusion of Phase 2 period of performance, it is expected that the vendor will make available for sale one or more qVCSEL devices meeting one or more of the qVCSEL requirements of Appendix A.1 and/or Appendix A.2. It is expected that the qVCSELs will have been qualified to meet all specifications at delivery, including lifetime. Phase II Base amount must not exceed $2,095,000 for a 30-month period of performance  

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:  

This technology can be used for multiple military technologies such as magnetic anomaly detection or magnetic navigation but has a dual use for medical applications such as magnetoencephalography or magnetocardiography. 

 

REFERENCES: 

Serkland, D.K., K.M. Geib, G.M. Peake, R. Lutwak, A. Rashed, M. Vargese, G. Tepolt, and M. Prouty, "VCSELs for Atomic Sensors," Proceedings of the SPIE, 6484 (2007). 

 

KEYWORDS: Quantum, VCSEL, qVCSEL, qSensor, atomic clock, atomic magnetometer

VCSELs for Quantum Sensors

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