Aeluma secures NASA contract for quantum dot PICs
The company plans to accelerate development of advanced photonics for space and aerospace applications including free-space laser communication and autonomous navigation, as well as expanding possibilities in AI, datacentres, and high-performance computing
Aeluma, a semiconductor company focusing on high-performance, scalable technologies for mobile, automotive, AI, defence and aerospace, communication, and quantum computing, has announced it has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop quantum dot PICs on silicon. This advanced technology targets next-generation space and aerospace applications, enabling capabilities such as free-space laser communication, autonomous navigation, and precision sensing.
Under this new contract, Aeluma plans to 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, the company says this breakthrough is poised to impact a range of aerospace functions by delivering high-precision, low-power solutions essential for space missions and autonomous systems.
“This NASA contract is a significant milestone for Aeluma and reaffirms the groundbreaking potential of our quantum dot photonic technology,” said Jonathan Klamkin, founder and CEO of Aeluma. “We believe 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 datacentres and high-performance computing.”
Beyond aerospace, Aeluma says its quantum dot PIC technology holds significant promise for AI infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and cloud datacentres, where ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical interconnects are critical for performance and sustainability. By integrating quantum dots on silicon photonics, the company aims to provide scalable photonic solutions tailored to meet the rigorous demands of next-generation AI workloads and data-intensive environments.
The collaboration with NASA underscores Aeluma's commitment to advancing photonic technology, bringing high-performance quantum dot applications into scalable, silicon-based platforms optimised for widespread adoption in AI and HPC infrastructure.
