TCS, IIT-Bombay To Build India’s First Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. has collaborated with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to develop India’s first quantum diamond microchip imager. The advanced sensing tool can improve precision in examination of semiconductor chips, reduce chip failures and improve the energy efficiency of electronic devices.

Semiconductor chips are an essential component of all modern electronic devices, making them smart and efficient. With the ability to process data and complete tasks, these chips act as the brain of devices across industries such as communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation and clean energy.

Over the next two years, experts from TCS will work with Dr. Kasturi Saha, associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering of IIT-Bombay, to develop the quantum imaging platform in the PQuest Lab.

"By working together, we aim to transform various sectors, including electronics and healthcare, and propel India forward through groundbreaking technologies and products aligned with National Quantum Mission's Quantum Sensing and Metrology vertical," said Saha.

As semiconductors shrink, traditional sensing methods lack the precision and capabilities to detect anomalies in the chips. The quantum diamond microchip imager can image magnetic fields, enabling a non-invasive and non-destructive mapping of semiconductor chips.

It uses the defects in a diamond’s structure, known as nitrogen-vacancy centres, together with the other hardware and software for detecting and characterising anomalies in semiconductor chips. These diagnostic capabilities will have implications for failure analysis, device development and various optimisation processes. It will have applications in microelectronics, biological and geological imaging, and fine-scale imaging of magnetic fields, among others.

“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,” said Harrick Vin, chief technology officer, TCS.

This project builds on TCS and IIT-Bombay’s partnership since the 1990s, spanning joint research projects, collaborative education programmes, internships and faculty development programmes. IIT-Bombay was the first institute to be signed as an academic partner for TCS’ Co-Innovation Network, a platform driving industry-academia collaboration for innovative solutions.