Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices or systems.
Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
This solicitation includes a Controlled Unclassified Information Addendum that contains key technical details relevant to the programme goals and objectives.
The Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO) programme aims to overcome the fundamental limitations that constrain current photonic computing using today’s photonic components.
“The primary limitation to further scaling of circuit size and functionality is rooted in the fundamental properties of signalling with light,” says DARPA.
One problem is that noise can’t be amplified out as any attempt to amplify optical signals also amplifies the noise.
Another limitation is spurious wave interference, which leads to scattering, coupling, mode leakage, back reflections and unwanted resonance.
“Over many components, control of these errors becomes unpredictable, especially when combined with manufacturing variability and thermal and environmental instabilities,” says DARPA, “drawing inspiration from modern electronics, in which clever circuit design overcomes the limitations of individual transistors, the programme will foster innovative circuit-level strategies to achieve unprecedented system performance and stability. PICASSO confronts these challenges by embracing a new paradigm: creating tomorrow’s photonic circuits using today’s components.”
Proposals are due by 6 March. The programme starts in July 2026. PICASSO Phase 1 is scheduled for completion by January 2028 when DARPA expects a “demonstration of predictable performance of photonic circuits”.
By July 2029, when Phase 2 is scheduled to be completed, DARPA expects a demonstration of “generalised circuit functionality”.
