Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop India's first quantum diamond microchip imager, a pioneering sensing tool for semiconductor chip imaging. This innovative tool is expected to provide unprecedented precision in examining semiconductor chips, reducing chip failures, and enhancing the energy efficiency of electronic devices.

The collaboration will see TCS experts working alongside Dr. Kasturi Saha, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT-Bombay, over the next two years to bring this technology to fruition. Semiconductor chips are integral to all modern electronic devices, serving as the brains of devices in various industries, including communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation, and clean energy. As these chips continue to miniaturize, traditional sensing methods are increasingly inadequate for detecting anomalies.

The Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager will utilize the unique properties of Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers—defects in a diamond's structure—to image magnetic fields. This will allow for non-invasive and non-destructive mapping of semiconductor chips, providing detailed insights into their condition and performance. The technology combines these NV centers with specialized hardware and software to detect and characterize anomalies in the chips.

This initiative aligns with the Indian government's National Quantum Mission, which aims to position India as a global leader in quantum technology. Union Minister for Communications and Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that India will launch its first indigenous semiconductor chip by the end of 2024. This project between TCS and IIT-Bombay is a significant step towards achieving that goal and bolstering India's capabilities in advanced semiconductor technology.