DARPA is seeking abstract submissions for innovative exploratory research in the technical domain of physics, specifically quantum materials engineering using electromagnetic fields.
Up to USD$300,00 is available for projects of up to 12 months. The aggregate level of performance must be equivalent to at least one full-time equivalent. Materials, equipment and other direct costs are limited to USD$10,000. Travel and publication costs will not be funded. Subcontracting/sub-awarding is not permitted.
Projects are to explore the question of How can engineered light-matter coupling be used to control or enhance quantum materials by harnessing vacuum effects or few-photon external drives?
Projects should seek to push the boundaries of optical control of solid-state materials, extending established Floquet engineering techniques to regimes where material properties can meaningfully be changed by electromagnetic fields at the few-photon level or by cavity-enhanced vacuum modes, including new phases of matter and out-of-equilibrium effects. Of particular interest are systems where engineered light-matter coupling can be used to enhance or quantify the inter-particle interactions and correlations in a material. Light-matter systems that are externally driven at the few-photon level and systems where materials are coupled to vacuum modes of the electromagnetic field are within scope.
This call falls under the Master Solicitation for Advanced Research Concepts (DARPA-EA-24-01).
Abstracts will be accepted and assessed on a rolling basis, closing 3 June 2024.
Documents
ARC Opportunity – QUAMELEON : DARPA-EA-24-01-03
Master Solicitation – Advanced Research Concepts: DARPA-EA-24-01