Aeluma Secures NASA Contract to Develop Quantum Dot Photonic Circuits for Space, AI, and HPC Advancements
Insider Brief:
- Aeluma secured a NASA contract to develop silicon-based quantum dot photonic integrated circuits, targeting advanced space applications like free-space laser communication, autonomous navigation, and precision sensing.
- The partnership with NASA focuses on using quantum dots to enhance optical performance in extreme environments, providing high-precision, low-power solutions crucial for aerospace missions and autonomous systems.
- Aeluma plans to expand its quantum dot PIC technology into AI infrastructure, HPC systems, and cloud data centers by delivering ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical interconnects tailored for next-generation AI and data-intensive workloads.
PRESS RELEASE — Aeluma, Inc., a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance, scalable technologies for mobile, automotive, AI, defense and aerospace, communication and quantum computing, announced it has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop quantum dot photonic integrated circuits (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 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 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 Dr. 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 data centers and high-performance computing.”
Beyond aerospace, Aeluma’s 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.
The collaboration with NASA underscores Aeluma’s 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.
About Aeluma
Aeluma develops cutting-edge semiconductor and optoelectronic technologies for sensing, communication, and AI applications. Aeluma has pioneered advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques using high-performance compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates commonly used for mass-market microelectronics. The technology has the potential to enhance performance and scale manufacturing for a range of industries, including defense and aerospace, automotive, AR/VR, AI, and quantum computing. Headquartered in Goleta, California, Aeluma focuses on transforming high-performance photonic technologies critical for emerging applications and broad market adoption. Learn more at www.aeluma.com.