WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio - The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is seeking information from industry on advanced photon detection technology to support research in optical communications, lidar, laser sensing, and optical sensor characterization.
In a Sources Sought notice, AFRL's Sensors Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio said it is evaluating industry capabilities for a Discrete Amplification Photon Detector (DAPD) array receiver system for use by its Multispectral Sensing and Detection Division (RFMM). According to the laboratory, the division conducts research, development, test and evaluation in photonics, laser sensing, optical communications and electromagnetic technologies.
According to AFRL, its existing photon detection infrastructure no longer provides the combination of multi-channel detection, high sensitivity, integrated digital processing and timing performance needed to support current laboratory research.
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"The government's existing photon detection infrastructure within AFRL/RFMM is technologically insufficient to meet current and modernizing research objectives," the laboratory wrote in its minimum requirements document. "The legacy systems lack the critical combination of multi-channel detection, high quantum efficiency/sensitivity, robust signal amplification, and integrated digital processing."
Research and development
AFRL said the new receiver system would serve as a core laboratory asset supporting experiments involving laser detection, optical communications, lidar, photon counting, and optical sensor characterization.
The laboratory is seeking a receiver capable of detecting extremely weak optical signals in the near-infrared spectrum centered at approximately 1,550 nanometers, a wavelength widely used in optical communications and many laser sensing applications. The system would also provide at least 25 independent detection channels, integrated digital signal processing, and precise timing measurements suitable for optical ranging, communications, and sensor characterization.
Beyond sensitivity, AFRL is seeking a receiver capable of simultaneously acquiring and processing data across all detector channels while maintaining precise timing performance. The system would also include software for configuration, monitoring, and data visualization, along with application programming interfaces or software development kits to support laboratory automation, custom software development, and integration with existing analysis tools.
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Photon detection
High-sensitivity photon detection has become an increasingly important area of research for defense and space applications, where optical systems often operate using extremely weak signals. Photon-counting detectors are being explored for applications including long-range optical communications, advanced lidar, optical sensing, and other photonics research.
Separate government research efforts illustrate growing interest in the technology. NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications demonstration employs single-photon-sensitive detectors to enable laser communications across interplanetary distances. Separately, MIT Lincoln Laboratory has developed photon-counting camera technology based on Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode arrays for spacecraft optical communications, as well as pointing, acquisition and tracking of optical beams.
Although AFRL's notice does not identify a specific research program, the laboratory said the receiver system would support experimentation involving optical communications, laser sensing and characterization of advanced optical systems. The agency also requires a platform capable of supporting future software and firmware updates, suggesting the system is intended to remain a long-term laboratory research asset as detector technologies continue to evolve.
The AFRL says companies interested in responding to the Sources Sought notice have until 12 p.m. Eastern July 22 to submit capability statements. The AFRL named Mike Hornberger as the primary point of contact for this solicitation. They can be reached via email at [email protected]. More information is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8028154fdcea4d4d9e623b409c4584c7/view.
