Quantum Measurement Technology QuantumDiamonds Builds a Production Facility for Quantum Measurement Systems in Munich (Germany)

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The Munich-based start-up QuantumDiamonds is investing $170 million in a new plant for quantum-based inspection systems. The federal government and the state of Bavaria (Germany) intend to support the project as part of the European Chips Act.

QuantumDiamonds is planning to establish a production facility in Munich for quantum measurement systems for non-destructive fault analysis of semiconductors. According to the company, this will be the world's first factory of its kind with an investment volume of $170 million.

The project is to be supported with public funds from the federal government and the state of Bavaria as part of the European Chips Act. A funding rate of around 50 percent is planned overall, subject to the pending approval of the EU Commission.

New Approaches for Fault Analysis of Modern Chips

At the core of the technology is a quantum diamond microscope based on synthetic diamonds with nitrogen-vacancy centers. These so-called NV centers serve as highly sensitive sensors for magnetic fields generated by electrical currents in the chip.

The process allows for the visualization of current paths in complex semiconductor packages with micrometer-level resolution without opening or damaging the component. With this, QuantumDiamonds addresses a central issue of modern 2.5D and 3D architectures.

With increasing packaging density, chiplet designs, and technologies like backside power delivery, established testing methods such as thermal analysis or X-ray inspection reach their limits. Errors often only occur under operating conditions and are then difficult to localize.

QuantumDiamonds' quantum measurement systems aim to provide test engineers with an additional tool. The goal is not to analyze individual transistors but to enable faster pinpointing of fault causes at the package and interconnect levels.

From University Spin-Off to Mass Production

According to the company, proof-of-concept projects have been conducted with nine of the world's ten largest semiconductor manufacturers. Advisors include David Su, the former head of the Failure Analysis department at TSMC.

The first fully integrated systems have already been installed in Europe. Further deliveries to Taiwan and the USA are planned for early 2026. With the new plant, QuantumDiamonds aims to transition from pilot projects to mass production.

The company was founded in 2022 as a spin-off of the Technical University of Munich. In its early phase, QuantumDiamonds focused on the production of NV diamonds before developing a complete inspection system from them.

The decision to locate the production facility in Munich was also made against the backdrop of international competition. According to the company, there were concrete offers from the USA, particularly from Arizona, under its Chips Act.

Industrial Policy Significance of the Munich Location

For German and European semiconductor policy, the project is considered a building block for strengthening technological sovereignty. Europe currently produces about ten percent of the world's semiconductors but is a significant market for high-performance chips.

With the Chips Act, the EU aims to increase this share to 20 percent by 2030. In addition to large manufacturing projects, equipment suppliers, measurement, and inspection specialists are increasingly becoming the focus of support.

With the new plant, production capacities are to be established in Munich, as well as the creation of highly qualified jobs. QuantumDiamonds is thus positioning itself as a European provider of inspection solutions in an increasingly critical part of the semiconductor value chain. (sg)

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