AIM Photonics Summer Academy at MIT Strengthens U.S. Talent Pipeline in Integrated Photonics
Week-long program offers insights into the science, tools, and real-world applications driving next-generation technologies
This summer, professionals, students, and faculty who want to build deeper expertise in integrated photonics will have the opportunity to learn from top experts from both industry and academia at the AIM Photonics Summer Academy. The annual program, which takes place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from July 27 to August 1, 2025, will cover critical topics in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design, manufacturing, packaging, and real-world applications.
As integrated photonics technologies become increasingly critical across industries like telecommunications, health care, defense, AI, and quantum computing, AIM Photonics’ Summer Academy equips participants with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation and meet growing workforce demands.
Building the photonic foundations of next-generation technologies such as quantum computing and bio-sensing is core to the Summer Academy curriculum.
“This program is an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of integrated photonics,” said Sajan Saini, Education Director at MIT’s Initiative for Knowledge and Innovation in Manufacturing (IKIM), who leads the annual program with Prof. Lionel Kimerling at MIT. “It’s specifically designed to equip attendees with the knowledge needed to drive innovation in this rapidly evolving field,” he added.
Expert-Led Courses and Real-World Applications
The program offers a mix of short courses and interactive group exercises led by a distinguished lineup of instructors from MIT, Dartmouth College, the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Columbia University, and AIM Photonics. It covers both fundamental and advanced topics, including:
Process flows and design methodologies for PICs
Design for manufacturability and process variation management
PIC design, packaging, and test characterization methods
Emerging applications in datacom, RF signal processing, sensors, and LiDAR
Students apply theory to practice in a team-based photonic design project.
Participants will also take part in a collaborative design project that puts their learning into practice. Teams will work through real-world industry challenges by translating theoretical concepts into practical, application-driven solutions using electronic-photonic design automation (EPDA) tools from Synopsys, Cadence, and Ansys for preliminary device and circuit modeling.
“The inherent value of these interactive group design projects is that they provide an immersive learning opportunity that not only drives conversation in terms of emerging standards for each of these applications but also demonstrates how the applications affect PIC circuit design choices,” said Saini.
Hands-On with the HOPE Kit
This year marks the first time Summer Academy participants will have the opportunity to interact with AIM Photonics’ Hands-on Photonics Education (HOPE) Kit, a set of integrated photonics chips developed to support hands-on training in testing and characterizing PICs.
AIM Photonics' Hands-on Photonics Education HOPE Kit helps students master hands-on testing of functional photonic integrated circuits.
“The HOPE Kit gives students the experience of testing functional PICs, which helps them gain a deeper understanding of fundamental PIC components, analyze data effectively, and develop reliable testing procedures for the PICs they may design in the future,” said Jaime Cardenas, an associate professor at the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester who co-developed the HOPE Kit and teaches the PIC Optical Testing short course at the Summer Academy.
“Mastering these skills is essential because a strong grasp of PIC functionality and the ability to extract accurate performance data are both critical for designing and manufacturing high-quality photonic integrated circuits,” he added.
A Launchpad for Innovation and Career Growth
The Summer Academy has a track record of preparing attendees for success in academia and industry. Past participants have credited the program with advancing their careers and strengthening their research and development capabilities.
“With integrated photonics poised to revolutionize multiple industries, this program is a great way to ensure that students, faculty, and other working professionals in the U.S. are prepared to lead the charge,” said Dr. Robert Geer, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AIM Photonics.
Registration for the AIM Photonics Summer Academy is currently open. For more details on the curriculum, instructors, and enrollment, visit AIM Photonics Summer Academy.