Aeluma secures NASA contract for quantum dot PICs for aerospace and AI applications

1 min read

Aeluma, a specialist US semiconductor company, has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop quantum dot photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on silicon.

Credit: flashmovie - adobe.stock.com

This advanced technology targets next-generation space and aerospace applications, delivering capabilities such as free-space laser communication, autonomous navigation, and precision sensing.

Under the 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 will 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 centres and high-performance computing.”

Beyond aerospace, Aeluma’s quantum dot PIC technology holds promise for AI infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and cloud data centres, where ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical interconnects are critical for performance and sustainability. By integrating quantum dots on silicon photonics, Aeluma is working to provide scalable photonic solutions tailored to meet the rigorous demands of next-generation AI workloads and data-intensive environments.

According to Aeluma, its collaboration with NASA underscores the company’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.