Memsstar Ltd. has announced the successful installation and characterization of their ORBIS Alpha Xeric Oxide Etch device at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), a significant development for the European quantum technology environment. With the precision instruments required to create next-generation quantum communications devices, this key deployment at TUM’s Garching campus is expected to become a cornerstone for the university’s Department of Quantum Networks.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Production
The introduction of the ORBIS Alpha system is an enabling advancement for integrated photonics research rather than merely a hardware improvement. The problem of developing nanoscale structures that can consistently control light, the information carrier in quantum networks, is at the center of this partnership. The ORBIS Alpha platform uses continuous-flow processing technology, which has already been validated in industrial settings, to bridge the gap between lab-scale R&D and high-volume manufacturing.
This means that TUM scientists can move from single chips to complete 200mm wafers without sacrificing the “leading-edge” control needed for quantum applications. Tony McKie, CEO of memsstar, claims that the project demonstrates the company’s dedication to custom process development, guaranteeing that the technology satisfies the “varied application requirements” inherent in elite university research.
You can also read Rigetti Computing News: Wall Street Backs Quantum Bet
The Technical Edge: Vapour-Phase Etching and “Stiction-Free” Release
Stiction is a significant obstacle in the production of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and their smaller siblings, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS).
The ORBIS Alpha uses vapour-phase hydrogen fluoride (HF) etching to get around this. Photonic crystals, which are crucial for studying how light travels through intricate nanostructures, can be released without stiction with this dry technique. Researchers are able to construct fragile, suspended structures that would otherwise crumble under the weight of evaporating fluids by bypassing the liquid phase.
The memsstar system was chosen because of its superior etch process capabilities, according to Dr. Andreas Reiserer, a professor of quantum networks at TUM. “memsstar’s vapour-phase HF etching technology offers the highest possible selectivity between silica and silicon nitride,” said Dr. Reiserer. When creating silicon nitride (SiN) structures to serve as waveguides, this selectivity is crucial because it guarantees that the etching process eliminates only the desired material without compromising the structural integrity of the quantum gadget.
Advancing the Frontiers of MEMS, NEMS, and MOEMS
This installation has ramifications for nanodevice research and micro-optoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS). The consistency and reproducibility needed to bring theoretical quantum designs to life are provided by the ORBIS Alpha. The instrument will play a key role in the Department of Quantum Networks’ production of released silicon nanophotonic resonators on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates, which are essential for the upcoming generation of resonators utilized in secure communications and quantum computing.
The hardware of the platform is made to be affordable without sacrificing the high requirements of a setting that has been tested in production. Because of this, it is a top option for research and development centers that must replicate industrial manufacturing settings while investigating “novel, high-quality approaches” to quantum networking.
You can also read Rigetti Computing vs IonQ Comparison: Differences Explained
A Strategic Alliance for Global Impact
Memsstar and TUM’s partnership is an example of a larger trend in which leading academic institutions and business executives work together to address societal issues. With almost 36,000 students, TUM is regarded as one of Europe’s top universities and concentrates on creating solutions for energy, mobility, and information and communications. TUM strengthens its entrepreneurial spirit and its goal of producing “lasting value for society” through superior research by using memsstar’s exclusive process technology.
Conversely, Memsstar Limited maintains its position as a leading supplier of deposition and etch equipment for the international MEMS and semiconductor sectors. The company, which is based in Livingston, Scotland, assists the European market by providing remanufactured systems and new unique technologies, assisting the sector in navigating the challenges posed by more integrated devices.
Looking Ahead: The Quantum Roadmap
The semiconductor sector anticipates a busy 2026 as the ORBIS Alpha gets underway in Garching. The announcement coincides with the industry getting ready for significant international gatherings, such as SEMICON China and SEMICON Europa later this year. The TUM installation serves as a prominent showcase for Memsstar’s ORBISTM platform portfolio, which consists of a variety of custom process modules created for particular R&D and manufacturing requirements.
This installation’s achievement at TUM probably paves the way for more advances in quantum gadget design and micromechanical structure. Memsstar and TUM are creating more than just technology; they are laying the groundwork for the quantum internet by offering the means to precisely modify matter at the atomic level.
You can also read Rigetti Computing Financial Results 2025 & Fidelity Milestone
