Rohm uses quantum algorithms to streamline semiconductor production
Rohm in Japan has been working on quantum algorithms to improve the performance of its die sorting production.
Rohm has been collaborating with Japanese startup Quanmatic to use quantum technology into its Electrical Die Sorting (EDS) process, conducting demonstrations aimed at optimizing combinations during manufacturing.
The two companies are now aiming 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.
The large number of constraints in the semiconductor manufacturing process makes it hard to obtain an optimal solution, so the quantum technology was limited to processes on a scale that could be approximated by classical computers.
In the EDS process, the number of combinations involving manufacturing devices, test equipment/conditions, and other factors is huge despite being only a part of the entire system. This made it extremely difficult to derive a solution that optimizes the manufacturing process and resulted in a process allocation based on basic calculation rules, utilizing accumulated knowledge and expertise.
Rohm and Quanmatic have spent this year exploring an operating system using quantum solutions that take into account various constraints in the EDS process and have built a prototype by combining Quanmatic’s quantum annealing algorithms and AI . This is based on research conducted at Waseda University and Keio University together with a computational framework.
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. Implementing the algorithm significantly reduces computation time, enabling timely and optimal operation in response to changes in manufacturing conditions.
“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,” said Tetsuo Tateishi, Member of the Board, Senior Corporate Officer and CTO at Rohm. “ Going beyond the current situation, we will accelerate the introduction of quantum technology and related methods into a wide range of processes, with the goal of strengthening our stable supply system by establishing a more holistically optimized supply chain.”
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.
quanmatic.com/en/; www.rohm.com
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