The National Research Council is seeking proposals from the Canadian photonics sector to develop an infrared quantum light source capable of securing free-space communications for multi-domain defence operations.
Issued through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, the Phase 2 grant provides funding for a prototype operating in the mid-to-far-infrared spectrum. The baseline applications include high-sensitivity nanomaterial characterization. The operational parameters also directly address the aerospace and defence industry’s need to protect satellite communications (SATCOM) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data links.
Modern multi-domain operations rely heavily on space-based assets. Interception or denial of standard SATCOM networks remains a critical tactical vulnerability. The federal challenge requests correlated twin-beam technology to enable secure communication channels based on quantum entanglement.
“By operating in the mid to far infrared, these light sources are harder to distinguish from background thermal radiation, making them harder to detect in the field and thus offering the possibility of undetectable communication,” the National Research Council stated in the solicitation.
The hardware specifications support enhanced light detection and ranging (LIDAR) mapping and target identification. These are key capabilities for maintaining situational awareness in environments where traditional space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) signals are compromised. The prototype must deliver high output power above one watt, short laser pulses under one picosecond, and high repetition rates exceeding one megahertz.
The government requires the final prototype to be packaged in a single box mountable on a standard optical table. This creates a direct commercial pathway for contractors to transition laboratory research into deployable tactical hardware. The solicitation prioritizes firms with a proven track record in ultrashort pulsed laser research. By restricting the pool to specialized photonics developers, the grant aims to mature a niche component of the domestic aerospace supply chain.
Submissions must target a technology readiness level between five and nine. The resulting prototype is expected to reach level six through build, integration, and testing. Government teams will work directly with the successful contractor to validate system performance.
The grant application window opened on Aug. 18, 2026, and closes on Sept. 15, 2026.