Various embodiments of the present invention are related to electromagnetic wave amplification systems employing photonic gratings. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic radiation amplification system comprises a photonic grating and a pump source. The photonic grating is configured with a planar periodic lattice of holes in a slab. The pump source is coupled to the photonic grating and outputs an electronic stimulus that excites electronic energy states in the photonic grating so that a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the photonic grating stimulates emission of coherent electromagnetic radiation that amplifies the coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation.