Silicon Austria Labs Leads the First European Pilot Line for Ion Trap Chips

Microelectronics together with Electronic Based Systems (EBS) are the backbone of many digital innovations. As the intelligent connection of microelectronics and nanoelectronics, sensor technology, embedded software, and systems integration, they enable applications such as automated driving, the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart infrastructures. In this area, Austria boasts a top-notch ecosystem along the entire innovation chain. One example is the research centre of excellence Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) (). Read more about this in this article: Microelectronics – Research as the Foundation for Success.Microelectronics – Research as the Foundation for Success. () 

Research with European power 

SAL is part of a European consortium pressing ahead with development of the new EU Chips Design PlatformEU Chips Design Platform () under the coordination of the Belgium research centre imec. The objective is to democratize access to modern resources for chip design as a means of supporting innovation. The platform targets startups and SMEs lacking their own production facilities and facilitate their access to development environments, trainings, and financial support. SAL is contributing its expertise in the design of integrated circuits, selects users, provides support, and makes open-source tools available. 

Furthermore, CHAMP-ION, the first European manufacturing pilot line for ion trap chipsfirst European manufacturing pilot line for ion trap chips (), is being created in Austria within the framework of the EU Chips ActEU Chips Act (). The new infrastructure is designed to ensure than quantum chips become suitable for industrial use and advance applications in quantum communications, quantum computing and quantum sensors. SAL is responsible for coordinating the pilot project aiming to develop manufacturing processes conforming to industrial standards in cooperation with partners such as the University of Innsbruck and Infineon. The seven-year project brings together 21 organisations from six countries. Austria is making a substantial contribution towards developing quantum EBS in Europe which is suitable for industrial use.  

Fertile ground for the EBS of tomorrow  

Austria also benefits from an excellent research landscape for EBSexcellent research landscape for EBS () with strong links to industry. Facilities such as the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), Pro2Future, ESBS Austria, the Linz Center of Mechatronics (LCM) and CEST develop practical innovations with partners. Clusters such as Silicon Alps, the Electronic Based Systems Center and the Mechatronics Cluster pool their expertise. Moreover, universities of technology, Johannes Kepler University Linz and the University of Innsbruck ensure the availability of highly qualified skilled workers thanks to their specialized degree programmes. 

Here you can read more about microelectronics in Austria: Microelectronics IndustryMicroelectronics Industry ()