ROHM has been collaborating with Quanmatic to introduce quantum technology into the Electrical Die Sorting (EDS)¹ process. Particularly, they have been conducting demonstrations aimed at optimizing combinations during manufacturing.

Currently, after meeting certain benchmarks regarding production efficiency, ROHM and Quanmatic plan to carry out full-scale implementation in April 2024. This represents the world’s first demonstration of manufacturing process optimization using quantum technology in a large-scale mass production line at a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

Development Background

In recent years, the use of quantum technology has been explored in various fields, in particular quantum annealing methods^*2 being introduced in combinatorial optimization. Particularly, for delivery route optimization in the logistics industry.

At the same time, in the semiconductor industry, as the manufacturing process becomes more extensive the possible combinations increase exponentially. Moreover, the large number of constraints makes it hard to obtain an optimal solution. Therefore, the application of quantum technology was limited to processes on a scale that could be approximated by classical computers.

For example, in the EDS process, the number of combinations involving manufacturing devices, test equipment/conditions, and other factors is so large despite being only a part of the entire system. This made it extremely difficult to derive a solution that optimizes the manufacturing process. As a result, in the past it was common to perform operations (process allocation) based on basic calculation rules, utilizing accumulated knowledge and expertise.

In this context, in January 2023 ROHM and Quanmatic began exploring an operating system using quantum solutions that take into account various constraints in the EDS process. In September 2023, both companies succeeded in building a prototype. Specifically, it combines Quanmatic’s product that improves quantum computing efficiency based on research conducted at Waseda University and Keio University. Together with a computational framework.

The specialized formulation technology involved leverages quantum and classical computation techniques as well as the vast knowledge, expertise, and data accumulated by ROHM to date.

Optimal Operation Response

After testing and validating the prototype at ROHM’s domestic and overseas factories, the results showed that key performance indicators such as utilization and delivery delay rates could be improved by several percentage points. In addition, implementing the algorithm significantly reduces computation time. Thus, enabling timely and optimal operation in response to changes in manufacturing conditions.

Going forward, both companies will work to further deepen their collaboration to improve the accuracy of the manufacturing system through a series of trial operations at overseas plants, with the goal of full-scale introduction in April 2024.

Major Step in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Nozomu Togawa, CSO and Co-Founder of Quanmatic / Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, “This result is an example of a highly mathematical optimization calculation method researched at a university being applied in the real world. The aim (is to provide) semiconductor products through a supply chain that is continually optimized on a daily basis using quantum-related methods.”

In addition, Togawa said, “We believe that the accumulation of such achievements will lay the foundation for realizing the Japanese government’s ‘Future Vision of a Quantum Society’ (a society in which 10 million people will be using quantum technology by 2030).”

On the other hand, Tetsuo Tateishi, Member of the Board, Senior Corporate Officer and CTO, ROHM Co., Ltd., said, “As the role of semiconductors becomes increasingly important to achieving a decarbonized society, ensuring stable supply has become a societal issue. The development of an operational system suitable for large-scale mass production lines using quantum technology represents a major step forward for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, enabling real-time optimization of production processes.”

Furthermore, Togawa said, “Going beyond the current situation, we will accelerate the introduction of quantum technology and related methods into a wide range of processes, to strengthen our stable supply system by establishing a more holistically optimized supply chain.”

Notes:

*1) Electrical Die Sorting – A process for testing the electrical characteristics of chips formed on wafers, essential for ensuring the reliability and improving the yield of semiconductor devices.

*2) Technology proposed by Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori of the Tokyo Institute of Technology that sparked the quantum computing boom when it was offered commercially for the first time in the world by Canada’s D-Wave Systems in 2011. It is considered to be close to social implementation due to its strength in solving combinatorial optimization problems that narrow down application focus.