SEALSQ Corp, a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, together with ColibriTD, a pioneer in Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) platforms, and Xdigit, a specialised semiconductor design company with expertise in secure microcontrollers and IR Drop (voltage drop across power distribution networks) mathematical modelling, has announced a plan to develop a breakthrough solution set to revolutionise semiconductor wafer yields for sub-7nm nodes, a step in their collaboration within the SEALSQ Quantum Lab.

The partners have agreed on a six-month detailed roadmap to build the foundations of an innovation for the semiconductor industry. The solution aims to improve wafer yield for advanced semiconductor designs at nodes below 7nm by addressing IR Drop issues. It features an advanced mathematical modelling of IR Drop and uses quantum computing’s ability to solve the resulting complex Partial Differential Equations (PDEs).

The development of such advanced solution addresses the semiconductor industry’s urgent need for innovation as traditional methods falter at smaller nodes, and it parallels aggressive advancements in quantum computing, such as IBM’s plan to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. IBM’s milestones, including the development of the Quantum Loon chip in 2025 to test advanced quantum error correction architectures, underscore the rapid maturation of quantum capabilities that make solutions like those from SEALSQ, ColibriTD and Xdigit both feasible and timely.

Tackling the sub-7nm challenge

As the semiconductor industry drives toward sub-7nm nodes, critical for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI), automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, IR Drop has emerged as a bottleneck. Traditional methods to control IR Drop, while effective for larger nodes, are increasingly inadequate for these ultra-small geometries. At 7nm and below, yield losses can exceed 50%, due to increased wire resistance and quantum effects like tunnelling, dramatically increasing chip development costs and delaying time-to-market.

The collaborative quantum-based approach from SEALSQ, ColibriTD and Xdigit harnesses the computational power of quantum algorithms to model and optimise power distribution networks with unprecedented precision. Xdigit’s expertise in IR Drop mathematical modelling enhances the accuracy of PDE solutions, enabling chip designers to predict and mitigate voltage fluctuations effectively. By solving PDEs that govern IR Drop dynamics, the solution ensures robust performance and higher production yields, allowing SEALSQ and Xdigit to deliver chips at sub-7nm nodes with yields far surpassing industry norms, reducing costs and accelerating innovation.

Strategic benefits for the semiconductor industry

The implications of this technology are transformative:

• Higher Yields, Lower Costs: By addressing IR Drop at sub-7nm nodes, the solution can boost wafer yields, potentially saving manufacturers millions in production costs. For example, improving yield from 50% to 80% on a single wafer could cut per-chip costs by nearly half, making advanced chips more accessible for AI, automotive and consumer electronics.
• Accelerated Development Cycles: Optimised designs reduce the need for costly iterations, enabling faster time-to-market for next-generation technologies.
• Scalability for Future Nodes: The quantum-driven approach, bolstered by Xdigit’s modelling expertise, is adaptable to even smaller nodes (e.g., 3nm and beyond), future-proofing semiconductor manufacturing as Moore’s Law continues to evolve.

Enhanced security for quantum-resistant microcontrollers

A critical benefit of improved IR Drop control is enhanced resistance to side-channel attacks, a growing concern for secure microcontrollers used in IoT, automotive and defence applications. Precise power distribution minimises unintended electromagnetic emissions and power fluctuations that attackers exploit to extract cryptographic keys. SEALSQ’s expertise in post-quantum cryptography, exemplified by its QS7001 platform, combined with this new solution enables the development of microcontrollers that are both quantum-resistant and robust against physical attacks, reinforcing SEALSQ’s leadership in cybersecurity.

A quantum leap forward

“This collaboration with ColibriTD and Xdigit marks a turning point for the semiconductor industry,” said Carlos Moreira, the CEO of SEALSQ. “By leveraging quantum computing and Xdigit’s advanced IR Drop modeling to solve challenges at 7nm and below, we’re addressing a critical barrier to advanced manufacturing and paving the way for more secure, cost-effective chips. Xdigit’s expertise strengthens our ability to deliver high-yield, high-security solutions for AI, automotive, and IoT applications.”

“Quantum computing opens the door to an unprecedented level of modelling and simulation,” said Fabrice Siracusa, the CEO of Xdigit. “It enables us to accelerate and optimise design phases, delivering first-time-right circuits and significantly improving yields, especially for technologies at 7nm and below. By combining our expertise in ASIC design and secure IPs with the power of quantum algorithms, we are shaping a new era in semiconductor innovation.”

Looking ahead

The SEALSQ Quantum Lab, launched in December 2024, is at the forefront of integrating quantum-safe technologies into real-world applications. The collaboration with ColibriTD and Xdigit builds on SEALSQ’s plan on investing up to $20 million in quantum startups and establishment of several partnerships, including Hedera and its parent company WISeKey International Holdings, to secure blockchain and IoT ecosystems. Following the six-month development period, the demonstration will showcase a proof-of-concept that could reshape semiconductor manufacturing, with commercial deployment targeted for 2026.

For more information on SEALSQ’s quantum-resistant solutions and the SEALSQ Quantum Lab, visit https://www.sealsq.com/quantum-lab

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