IIT Bombay and TCS Partner to Develop India's First Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager

By siliconindia  |  Tuesday, 28 May 2024, 02:34:47 PM IST

IIT Bombay and TCS Partner to Develop India's First Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has announced a strategic collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to develop India's first Quantum Diamond microchip imager, an advanced sensing tool designed to enhance the quality control of semiconductor chips. This innovative project, spearheaded by experts from TCS at IIT Bombay’s PQuest Lab, aims to be completed within the next two years.
The Quantum Diamond microchip imager is expected to revolutionize the semiconductor industry by reducing the likelihood of chip failures and boosting the efficiency of electronic devices. The imager will employ quantum diamond microscopy integrated with AI/ML-powered software imaging to detect and characterize anomalies in semiconductor chips. This breakthrough will ensure better quality control, leading to increased product reliability, safety, and energy efficiency in electronic devices.
Dr. Kasturi Saha, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “PQuest group at IIT Bombay is excited to collaborate with TCS on developing a quantum imaging platform for the nondestructive examination of chips. Leveraging our extensive expertise in quantum sensing, we aim to drive innovation and transform various sectors, including electronics and healthcare, propelling India forward through groundbreaking technologies and products”.
The partnership between TCS and IIT Bombay aligns with the National Quantum Mission, an initiative by the Indian government to establish the nation as a global leader in quantum technology. By developing an indigenous Quantum Diamond microchip imager, India aims to make significant strides in the ongoing quantum revolution.
Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer at TCS, highlighted the urgency of advancing quantum technologies, stating, “The Second Quantum revolution is progressing at an unprecedented speed, making it imperative to pool our resources and expertise to build cutting-edge capabilities in sensing, computing, and communication technologies”.
Traditional sensing methods are increasingly inadequate as semiconductor components continue to shrink in size. The new imager will utilize the unique properties of Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds to perform precise and nondestructive examinations of semiconductor chips. This technology is expected to have broad applications beyond microelectronics, including biological and geological imaging and fine-scale imaging of magnetic fields.
The development of the Quantum Diamond microchip imager marks a significant milestone in India's technological advancement, promising to enhance various industries and reinforce the country's position in the global quantum technology landscape.

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