DARPA’s revolutionary quantum laser is unlike anything anyone’s seen before
What if you could glue light together? Using quantum mechanics that's what DARPA's doing to improve the capability of lasers.
Key takeaways
- The laser is expected to play an important role in future military operations, including satellite communications, mapping and tracking systems like LIDAR, as well as for targeting technologies in other military tech.
- Typically, lasers work by stimulating electrons in various atoms to oscillate in the same pattern.
- NASA has recently been testing new laser communication systems, and this type of quantum laser could help improve those even more.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2024) 'DARPA’s revolutionary quantum laser is unlike anything anyone’s seen before', 311 Institute, 27 June. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/darpas-revolutionary-quantum-laser-is-unlike-anything-anyones-seen-before/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Researchers working with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have been awarded a $1 million grant to create a prototype Quantum Laser unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. The laser will use quantum entanglement to essentially “glue” light particles together, the researchers explain, allowing them to create a more highly concentrated laser.
The laser is expected to play an important role in future military operations, including satellite communications, mapping and tracking systems like LIDAR, as well as for targeting technologies in other military tech.
Typically, lasers work by stimulating electrons in various atoms to oscillate in the same pattern. When this happens, the electrons move to a low-energy state and release coherent light, which has a uniform wavelength and phase. That is then bounced between mirrors inside the device to create the concentrated laser beam. A quantum laser, though, would essentially pull the light particles together instead, entangling them completely.
By using entangled photons, the researchers hope to create a more precise and stronger laser capable of firing over much greater distances and even in adverse conditions. This, of course, would allow a lot more versatility for military operations, which don’t always play out in the sunniest of circumstances and often see direct energy weapons systems having to try and punch their way through cloud cover. NASA has recently been testing new laser communication systems, and this type of quantum laser could help improve those even more.
When photons pass through the atmosphere, they can be damaged greatly. When they are entangled, as they would be with this new quantum laser, they’d still suffer some damage, but the photons would be able to protect each other somewhat, too, providing a more stable and higher energy output for the laser beam.
The hope is that the tech will also extend to quantum computing and telecommunications. It could make satellite services more reliable, if we’re able to figure out how to create these quantum beams in space and then send them back down to Earth or vice versa. Further, the researchers say that figuring how entanglement is just the tip of the iceberg for what they may be able to accomplish with quantum mechanics like this.
What this means for your organisation
Entangled light changes the beam.
Researchers want to entangle photons so they protect each other as they cross the atmosphere. That could give a more stable, higher energy beam over greater distances and in poor weather. Firms that rely on laser links should note the direction of travel.
Sensing and links gain first.
The stated uses are satellite communications, mapping and tracking systems like LIDAR, and targeting. Optical links are already being tested by NASA. Teams that buy or build these systems should expect better range and reliability to be promised.
Wider quantum gains are a hope.
The researchers hope the work extends to quantum computing and telecommunications. Making and sending quantum beams between space and Earth is still unsolved. Treat this as a signal to monitor, not a plan to buy against.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our systems depend on laser links that weather can disrupt?
- Where would a stronger, longer range beam change our sensing or communications?
- Who will we ask to track quantum laser progress for us?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
What if you could glue light together? Using quantum mechanics that's what DARPA's doing to improve the capability of lasers.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Sources and further reading
- Quantum physics may help lasers see through fog aid in surveillance source.wustl.edu
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 27 June 2024. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2024). DARPA’s revolutionary quantum laser is unlike anything anyone’s seen before. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/darpas-revolutionary-quantum-laser-is-unlike-anything-anyones-seen-before/
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