QuantumDiamonds Secures €152M for Munich Chip Inspection Facility
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QuantumDiamonds GmbH announced a €152 million investment to establish a production facility for advanced chip testing systems in Munich, Germany. The company’s QDM systems utilize nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to non-destructively map electrical current with micrometer precision within complex chip packages, addressing critical challenges in advanced semiconductor inspection. This capability is especially vital for emerging 2.5D and 3D architectures used in AI, mobile, and automotive electronics. The facility is intended as a key strategic asset to increase European leverage in the global semiconductor industry, aligning with ambitions to double Europe’s production share to 20% by 2030. QuantumDiamonds’ €152 Million Investment in Chip Inspection QuantumDiamonds is investing €152 million to establish a production facility in Munich, Germany, focused on next-generation chip testing systems. This facility aims to increase European leverage within the global semiconductor industry and is projected to receive substantial public support—tens of millions of euros—from both German and Bavarian governments under the European Chips Act. The company’s technology addresses a critical issue: plummeting yields as chips become denser and more powerful, a challenge conventional testing methods struggle to overcome. QuantumDiamonds’ QDM systems utilize nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to map electrical current with micrometer precision—non-destructively and in seconds—within complex chip packages. This capability is crucial for advanced 2.5D and 3D architectures powering AI, mobile, and automotive electronics. The tools provide layer-specific insight into current paths within TSVs, microbumps, and chiplets without opening the package, a capability deemed “no longer optional but essential” as heterogeneous integration becomes standard. Following successful proof-of-concept projects with nine of the ten largest chip manufacturers, QuantumDiamonds is experiencing high demand.
The European Commission suggests the company “has the potential to create the next ASML,” referencing the Dutch leader in semiconductor lithography. This investment, along with GlobalFoundries’ planned €1.1 billion investment in Dresden, signifies a substantial commitment from the German government to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor market and increase Europe’s production share to 20% by 2030.
European Semiconductor Industry Growth and the Chips Act QuantumDiamonds is investing €152 million in a new chip testing facility in Munich, Germany, intended to bolster European leverage in the global semiconductor industry. This project is strategically aligned with the European Chips Act and is expected to receive “tens of millions of euros” in public support from German and Bavarian governments. The facility will produce advanced chip testing systems utilizing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to map electrical current with micrometer precision, addressing challenges in advanced chip packaging and improving yields. The new facility aims to address plummeting yields in high-performance AI chips—a critical issue exacerbated by increasing chip density and power. QuantumDiamonds’ technology offers non-destructive fault isolation, visualizing defects invisible to standard thermal or X-ray tools. This capability is particularly crucial for complex 2.5D and 3D chip architectures used in AI, mobile, and automotive electronics. Initial deployments have been completed in Europe, with further installations planned for the US and Taiwan in Q1 2026. Europe currently produces around 10% of the world’s semiconductors, but the European Chips Act aims to double that share to 20% by 2030. This investment, alongside GlobalFoundries’ planned €1.1 billion investment in Dresden, signifies a substantial increase in Germany’s commitment to the semiconductor market.
The European Commission believes QuantumDiamonds has the potential to become the “next ASML,” highlighting its importance to European technological sovereignty and industrial strength. The new site in eastern Munich sends a strong signal for the future of our microelectronics ecosystem. With its cutting-edge analysis technologies, QuantumDiamonds shows how vital innovation is for Europe’s semiconductor competitiveness.Hubert Aiwanger QDM System Technology and Chip Defect Isolation QuantumDiamonds GmbH is investing €152 million to establish a production facility in Munich, Germany, for its QDM systems—advanced chip testing technology. These systems utilize nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to map electrical current with micrometer precision, enabling non-destructive fault isolation within complex chip packages. This capability is crucial for advanced 2.5D and 3D architectures used in AI, mobile, and automotive electronics, addressing a critical gap in current testing methods as chip density increases and yields plummet. The QDM systems offer layer-specific insight into current paths in TSVs, microbumps, and chiplets without opening the package—a significant advancement over standard thermal or X-ray tools. Successful proof-of-concept projects with 9 of the 10 largest chip manufacturers have driven surging demand. This technology addresses the challenge of non-destructive fault isolation, which is particularly difficult in advanced packaging, and provides a pathway to visualize currently invisible defects. This investment is strategically important for Europe’s semiconductor industry, aiming to double its production share to 20% by 2030, as outlined in the European Chips Act.
The European Commission suggests QuantumDiamonds has the potential to become a leader like ASML in semiconductor lithography. By establishing production within Europe, the project intends to retain value chain steps, build skills, and strengthen Europe’s position in the global semiconductor landscape. Source: https://www.qd-st.com/press/qd-plans-eu152-million-investment-in-next-gen-quantum-based-chip-inspection-facility-in-munich-germany Tags: