Aeluma signs wafer agreement with Sumitomo
Aeluma, a semiconductor company specialising in non-InP technologies for AI, mobile and consumer, defense and aerospace, and quantum, has signed an agreement with Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies (SCAT) to accelerate development and production of photonics wafers for the AI datacom market.
The agreement will initially use. existing MOCVD capabilities at SCAT’s Phoenix, Arizona manufacturing facility, and provides a path for increasing capacity in the future.
In a market wher InP substrates are in short supply, Aeluma has developed a large-diameter non-InP photonics platform that uses substrates such as 150mm GaAs and 200 to 300mm silicon that are more readily available.
In addition to the partnership with SCAT, Aeluma complements its in-house MOCVD capabilities by working with established large-volume GaAs and Si foundries for component fabrication, eliminating dependence on new fab buildouts and associated qualification timelines.
SCAT, a solely owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, produces epitaxial wafers at its facility in Phoenix, Arizona for the optical communications, smartphone, wireless, and automotive industries.
“SCAT is an ideal partner to pair with Aeluma’s in-house MOCVD that is capable of producing wafers of any size, including large-diameter 150, 200, and 300mm substrates,” said Jonathan Klamkin, founder and CEO of Aeluma. “We have been working with SCAT for several years. This new agreement aims to strengthen our relationship and set the stage for accelerated development, qualification, production, and future potential expansion.”
“We look forward to continued partnership with Aeluma,” added Ken Campman, president from executive officer from SCAT. “The demand for epitaxial wafers for photodetectors and lasers has grown significantly, but InP substrate supply is limiting development and production efforts. Aeluma’s technology is a promising solution for the datacom market and may impact other markets as well.”
