Rotterdam's Nearfield Instruments Secures €135 Million for Semiconductor Innovation
Rotterdam, Friday, 16 August 2024.
Nearfield Instruments, a Rotterdam-based tech company, has raised €135 million in the Netherlands’ largest deeptech investment round. The funding, led by Walden Catalyst and Temasek, will advance semiconductor inspection technology, crucial for the evolving chip manufacturing industry.
Advancing Semiconductor Inspection Technology
This significant funding will be directed towards the development and enhancement of advanced measurement systems used for semiconductor inspection. Nearfield Instruments specializes in non-destructive measurement systems that are essential for the production of advanced integrated circuits. The company’s technology addresses the increasing demand for precision and reliability in chip manufacturing, a sector that is foundational to modern electronics, including smartphones, computers, and various IoT devices.
How the Technology Works
Nearfield Instruments’ primary innovation lies in their High-Throughput Scanning Probe Metrology (SPM) systems. These systems are designed to provide precise measurements of the structural and electrical properties of semiconductor wafers without causing any damage. SPM technology employs a sharp probe that scans the surface of a material at a nanometric scale, allowing for the detection of defects and variations that would be imperceptible using conventional techniques. This level of precision is critical in ensuring the functionality and reliability of semiconductors used in various high-tech applications.
The Beneficiaries of This Innovation
The advancements in semiconductor inspection technology by Nearfield Instruments will benefit a broad spectrum of industries reliant on semiconductor chips. Enhanced inspection capabilities mean higher quality and more reliable semiconductors, which translate into better performing electronic devices. Companies in the consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and aerospace sectors stand to gain significantly from these improvements. Furthermore, as the demand for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices grows, the need for advanced inspection technologies will continue to rise.
Leadership and Location
Nearfield Instruments, headquartered at 5 Vareseweg, Rotterdam, South Holland, was founded as a spin-off from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Hamed Sadeghian, the CEO, leads a team of 170 employees working on pushing the boundaries of semiconductor inspection technology. The company has previously secured €27 million in funding in 2023 from investors, including ING and Invest-NL, showcasing a strong trajectory of growth and innovation.
Future Prospects
With the latest €135 million investment, Nearfield Instruments is poised to make significant strides in the semiconductor industry. The funding will facilitate further research and development, enabling the company to refine its existing technologies and explore new innovations. As semiconductor technology continues to evolve, Nearfield Instruments’ contributions will be instrumental in maintaining the integrity and performance of semiconductor devices, thereby supporting advancements in technology across various sectors.
Bronnen
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