News: Optoelectronics
22 November 2024
Aeluma wins NASA contract to advance quantum dot photonic integrated circuits for aerospace and AI
Aeluma Inc of Goleta, CA, USA – which uses compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates to develop technologies for mobile, automotive, AI, defense & aerospace, communication and quantum computing – has been awarded a contract by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop quantum dot photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on silicon. The technology targets next-generation space and aerospace applications, enabling capabilities such as free-space laser communication, autonomous navigation, and precision sensing.
Aeluma will collaborate with NASA to develop silicon-based photonic circuits that leverage quantum dot technology to enhance optical performance in challenging environments. With NASA’s support, this could impact a range of aerospace functions by delivering high-precision, low-power solutions essential for space missions and autonomous systems.
“Our collaboration with NASA will drive major advancements in critical aerospace applications and expand application possibilities in AI-driven systems, such as optical interconnects for data centers and high-performance computing,” believes founder & CEO Dr Jonathan Klamkin.
Beyond aerospace, Aeluma says that its quantum dot PIC technology holds significant promise for AI infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and cloud data centers, where ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical interconnects are critical for performance and sustainability. By integrating quantum dots on silicon photonics, Aeluma aims to provide scalable photonic solutions tailored to meet the rigorous demands of next-generation AI workloads and data-intensive environments.
Aeluma says that the collaboration with NASA underscores its commitment to advancing photonic technology, bringing high-performance quantum dot applications into scalable, silicon-based platforms optimized for widespread adoption in AI and HPC infrastructure.
