QuantumDiamonds plans EUR 152 million investment in quantum chip inspection in Munich

Munich-based DeepTech QuantumDiamonds is planning to invest EUR 152 million in the construction of a production facility for innovative inspection systems for semiconductor chips. According to the company, the world's first production facility for quantum-based inspection systems of this type is to be built in Munich. The project is considered strategically important for strengthening the European semiconductor industry and is to be supported with public funds from the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria as part of the European Chips Act.

Key technology for a growing challenge in the chip industry

The semiconductor industry is under massive pressure: production yields are falling as the performance and miniaturization of modern chips increases. Particularly with advanced 2.5D and 3D architectures, conventional inspection methods such as X-ray or thermal analysis are reaching their limits. Defects often cannot be localized non-destructively, which increases costs and slows down innovation cycles.

This is precisely where QuantumDiamonds comes in. The company develops inspection systems that use quantum mechanical effects in diamonds to visualize electrical currents within complex chip structures - precisely, non-destructively and within a few seconds.

Quantum sensor technology enables new insights into chip architectures

The technology is based on so-called nitrogen vacancies (NV centers) in diamonds. These make it possible to measure magnetic fields and derive current paths with micrometer-precise resolution. This allows defects in modern chip housings to be analyzed without having to open them. This could be an advantage for highly integrated architectures with chiplets, microbumps and through-silicon vias (TSVs).

According to the company, proof-of-concept projects have already been carried out with nine of the ten largest chip manufacturers worldwide. The first systems are in use in Europe, with further installations in the USA and Taiwan planned for the first quarter of 2026.

Munich site as a strategic signal for Europe

The planned production site in the east of Munich is set to play a key role in the European semiconductor strategy. Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger described the project as an important signal for Bavaria as a microelectronics location and for Europe's technological sovereignty. In addition to creating new jobs, the project should help to keep critical stages of the value chain within Europe.

Europe currently accounts for around 10 percent of global semiconductor production. With the European Chips Act, the EU is pursuing the goal of increasing this share to 20 percent by 2030.

From research project to industrial scaling

QuantumDiamonds sees the planned investment as a transition from the research and pilot phase to global series production. In the past, the company has received funding through programs such as the EIC Accelerator and SPRIN-D. The planned Chips Act support is intended to enable the next scaling step.

According to an assessment by the European Commission, QuantumDiamonds has the potential to play a similar strategic role for Europe as the Dutch lithography specialist ASML.