India’s first Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager to be developed by IIT Bombay and TCS

IIT Bombay and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have allied forces to create India’s pioneering Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager a significant leap in technological advances, a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance the testing of semiconductor chips.

This innovation will take place over the next two years at IIT Bombay’s PQuest Lab and aims to utilize quantum diamond microscopy integrated with AI and machine learning technologies to achieve unmatched precision in identifying chip defects.

Technological Advances for Better Chip Testing

The Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager will significantly enhance how semiconductor chips are tested.

As chips become smaller, traditional methods cannot detect all the defects. This image uses quantum diamond microscopy with AI and machine learning to provide accurate, non-invasive testing.

It utilizes defects in diamonds called Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers to spot and analyze issues in the chips, like how MRI machines work in hospitals.

In the next two years, TCS experts will coordinate with Dr. Kasturi Saha, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay, to develop this advanced imaging platform in the PQuest Lab.

Impact Across Industries and Society of Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager

Dr. Saha expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying, “PQuest group at IIT Bombay is excited to collaborate with TCS on developing a quantum imaging platform for the non-destructive examination of chips, utilizing our extensive expertise in quantum sensing to drive innovation. By working together, we aim to transform various sectors, including electronics and healthcare, and propel India forward through groundbreaking technologies and products.”

This new tool will have far-reaching impacts across multiple industries such as electronics, healthcare, microelectronics, biological imaging, geological imaging, and more.

Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer at TCS, emphasized the importance of this project, saying, “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. This initiative will have a transformative impact on various industries and society, with applications ranging from electronics to healthcare, and beyond. By working together, we can drive innovation and create a brighter future for all.”

This project builds on a long history of coordination between TCS and IIT Bombay, which dates back to the 1990s. Their partnership includes joint research projects, educational programs, internships, and faculty development.

IIT Bombay was the first institute to join TCS’s Co-Innovation Network, a platform that encourages collaboration between industry and academia.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, spotlighted the institute’s dedication to turning research into practical technologies and products. He said, “IIT Bombay has a wide and deep pool of expertise in different critical domains, and we are keen to collaborate with industry to translate the ideas, innovations, and research into the technologies and products through such collaborations as well as startups that will take India ahead.”

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