DARPA Seeks Industry Input for Very Large-scale Photonic Integration Program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking industry input for its Very Large-scale Photonic Integration (VLPI) program. This initiative aims to develop advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on large-format wafers to enhance power-efficient computing systems. The solicitation phase began before July 8, 2025, and responses were due by July 15, 2025. DARPA's focus on photonic circuits has the potential to improve energy efficiency and processing speeds, similar to the impact of the earlier Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) program on defense electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. DARPA is seeking information on the potential applications of VLPI photonic circuits, their benefits, and how they might reduce the need for electro-optical transducers. This program is a significant investment in the future of computing, potentially leading to more efficient and powerful systems. The program aims to integrate millions of components to achieve complex functionalities. This mirrors the historical context of DARPA's pioneering work, which has often led to innovations that have become integral to modern life, from the internet to GPS. The VLPI program's emphasis on power efficiency is particularly relevant in today's world, where the demand for sustainable and high-performance computing continues to grow.