NY CREATES Collaborative Quantum Research Published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Congratulations to NY CREATES’ Ekta Bhatia and colleagues on the publication of their article on niobium surface oxides in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. The team’s work, in partnership with PNNL, BNL and Neutral Physics Corp., is featured on the supplementary journal cover, an honor given to four exemplary research articles from each issue. The findings detailed in this article are important to understand how superconducting circuits for quantum computing can be improved.

Utilizing 300mm wafer-scale fabrication at NY CREATES, isotopic labeling studies, and modeling at DOE labs, coupled with state-of-the-art metrology, Ekta Bhatia, Jeffrey Dhas, and the team uncovered the details of hydrogen incorporation in surface oxides and its mitigation through innovative processes. This accomplishment is a shining example of the cutting-edge research conducted at NY CREATES, with partners across the U.S.

Read the Article Here

Empowering Workforce Development and Student Innovators Through Leading-edge Tech at NY CREATES

At NY CREATES, providing opportunities for hands-on training with advanced semiconductor research tools is a significant aspect of workforce development and student education. One such tool that is now being used for research and analysis is the Bruker D8 DISCOVER Plus, an X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) used for materials characterization in both academic and industry settings.

Innovative Technology Applications

X-ray diffraction is a technique that enables the precise analysis of the structure and composition of a wide variety of materials by investigating their crystalline structure and measuring how X-rays interact with the material’s atoms.

This process allows users to identify compounds by analyzing their atomic arrangement, providing a unique “fingerprint” of the material. Thin films and layered structures can also be investigated to determine thickness, interface roughness, and density, and measurement of the internal stress of stacked layers helps ensure high-performance material properties in semiconductor applications. Analysis of a material’s crystalline quality also supports the optimization of material performance in next-generation electronics

Bridging Education and Industry 

Access to the X-ray diffractometer can be valuable for students and researchers preparing for careers in semiconductor-related fields, especially because the configuration of the instrument at the NY CREATES lab offers great experimental flexibility and fast, very reliable results. This particular instrument also has an Atlas goniometer, and a non-coplanar arm, both with very stringent specifications in terms of resolution, accuracy and repeatability, that make it one of the most advanced in the industry. 

NY CREATES provides training for students and individual researchers to operate the Bruker D8 DISCOVER Plus independently, helping them develop practical skills in materials characterization and data analysis. This experience not only strengthens their technical expertise but also enhances their career readiness, making them competitive candidates for industry roles upon graduation.

Beyond student training, this cutting-edge tool also serves as a resource for on-site partners, who are able to utilize it for high-precision data analysis of several different materials. In this way, its availability at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex contributes to collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners.

Shaping the Future of Semiconductor Talent

As semiconductor technology continues to evolve, exposure and accessibility to innovative R&D tools remain important components of workforce development. This diffractometer is just one of several resources available at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex that support technical training, research, and collaboration with industry and academic partners. 

Providing valuable training with these tools empowers students and researchers to develop real-world technical expertise in materials science and semiconductor engineering and serves to strengthen connections between amongst members of the site’s unique chips-focused ecosystem.

IBM Newsroom: Tokyo Electron and IBM Renew Collaboration for Advanced Semiconductor Technology

“Our collaboration at the Albany NanoTech Complex has been instrumental in driving innovation and we look forward to continuing this journey together,” said Toshiki Kawai, Representative Director, President & CEO Tokyo Electron Limited.

Please find a copy of the related IBM Press Release below:

ALBANY, N.Y. and TOKYO, April 2, 2025 – Today, IBM and Tokyo Electron (TEL) announced an extension of their agreement for the joint research and development of advanced semiconductor technologies. The new 5-year agreement will focus on the continued advancement of technology for next-generation semiconductor nodes and architectures to power the age of generative AI.

This agreement builds on a more than two-decade partnership between IBM and TEL for joint research and development. Previously, the two companies have achieved several breakthroughs, including the development of a new laser debonding process for producing 300 mm silicon chip wafers for 3D chip stacking technology.

Now, bringing together IBM’s expertise in semiconductor process integration and TEL’s leading-edge equipment, they will explore technology for smaller nodes and chiplet architectures to achieve the performance and energy efficiency requirements for the future of generative AI.

“The work IBM and TEL have done together over the last 20 years has helped to push the semiconductor technology innovation to provide many generations of chip performance and energy efficiency to the semiconductor industry,” said Mukesh Khare, GM of IBM Semiconductors and VP of Hybrid Cloud, IBM. “We are thrilled to be continuing our work together at this critical time to accelerate chip innovations that can fuel the era of generative AI.”

“IBM and Tokyo Electron have built a strong relationship of trust and innovation through years of joint development. We are excited to continue to build on our long-standing partnership with IBM for another five years. This renewed agreement underscores our mutual commitment to advancing semiconductor technologies, including patterning processes with High NA EUV.” said Toshiki Kawai, Representative Director, President & CEO Tokyo Electron Limited. “Our collaboration at the Albany NanoTech Complex has been instrumental in driving innovation and we look forward to continuing this journey together.”

IBM and TEL are members of the Albany NanoTech Complex, the world’s leading ecosystem for semiconductor research, owned and operated by NY CREATES. For years, IBM, TEL, and others have worked together to build the most advanced public-private semiconductor research facility to accelerate chip innovation. As a result, last year, the site was selected as America’s first National Semiconductor Technology Center, the NSTC EUV Accelerator. As part of this new agreement, IBM and TEL researchers will continue to work together in Albany utilizing its unique ecosystem and R&D capabilities.

About TEL
As a leading global company of innovative semiconductor production equipment, Tokyo Electron (TEL) engages in development, manufacturing, and sales in a wide range of product fields. All of TEL’s semiconductor production equipment product lines maintain high market shares in their respective global segments. TEL provides outstanding products and services to customers through a global network in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and consulting expertise. We help clients in over 175 countries harness insights from their data, optimize business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on the IBM hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to achieve their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting offer open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

NY CREATES Statement Regarding Natcast Announcement of Dr. Craig Child as Director of the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, an NSTC Facility

“NY CREATES congratulates and looks forward to working closely with Dr. Craig Child, who has extensive experience across high-tech industries, deep knowledge of EUV lithography, and is very familiar with our Albany NanoTech Complex and its ecosystem. Home to the EUV Accelerator, NY CREATES provides a state-of-the-art, accessible semiconductor R&D and prototyping environment. Together with Natcast and our partners, we will drive the growth and success of the EUV Accelerator in support of the overall NSTC initiative to advance U.S. technological leadership.”

– Dave Anderson, President, NY CREATES 

Please find a copy of the related Natcast news release below:

Natcast Announces Dr. Craig Child as Director of the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, an NSTC Facility

Industry veteran will lead Natcast on-site staff and enable NSTC Members and Natcast researchers to leverage state-of-the-art EUV technology in advancing innovation and U.S. economic and national security

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2025 – Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act, today announced Dr. Craig Child as Director of the CHIPS for America Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator, an NSTC Facility (EUV Accelerator), located at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, N.Y.

In this role, Dr. Child will lead Natcast on-site staff and enable NSTC Members and Natcast researchers to leverage state-of-the-art EUV technology in advancing innovation and U.S. economic and national security. The EUV Accelerator is anticipated to be operational in July 2025.

“We are pleased to welcome Craig to the Natcast team to lead our work at the EUV Accelerator,” said Deirdre Hanford, Natcast CEO. “Craig’s proven leadership, industry experience, and breadth of technical expertise will be instrumental in enabling the operations of this facility. This investment in shared national infrastructure and assets provides access to leading-edge tools and resources, and it is integral to advancing U.S.-led innovation and strengthening America’s position as a global leader in semiconductor R&D and manufacturing.”

As the EUV Accelerator’s on-site executive representative for Natcast and NSTC Members, Dr. Child will oversee and facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, government, other ecosystem partners, and Natcast researchers to conduct R&D essential to reducing the barriers and time to commercialize innovative semiconductor technology. This activity aligns to the goals outlined in the NSTC Strategic Plan released in October 2024 and will support the forthcoming NSTC Research Agenda to be released in the coming months.

“EUV lithography is at the heart of advanced semiconductor scaling, and the research we conduct at the EUV Accelerator will shape the industry for decades to come,” said Robert Chau, Senior Vice President of Research at Natcast. “With Craig at the helm, NSTC Member and Natcast research conducted at the EUV Accelerator is poised to push the limits of chip manufacturing and technology integration in the U.S.”

Dr. Child joins Natcast from IBM Research, where he managed a team of 25 engineers and was responsible for all IBM Research Quality and Reliability activities. With more than two decades of experience in semiconductor R&D, Dr. Child has led advanced technology development at IBM Research, GlobalFoundries, AMD, and Intel, specializing in EUV lithography, BEOL integration, and process innovation. Dr. Child holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and is an inventor on multiple patents.

“I’m honored to join Natcast to lead the on-site team at the EUV Accelerator at such a pivotal moment for semiconductor research and innovation in the United States,” said Dr. Child. “EUV lithography is essential to advancing next-generation chip manufacturing, and I look forward to working alongside world-class scientists, engineers, and industry partners at this state-of-the-art facility to accelerate U.S.-led innovation of this critical technology.”

On October 31, 2024, Natcast and the Department of Commerce announced NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex as the anticipated location for the EUV Accelerator. This state-of-the-art site enables Natcast and NSTC Members to have access to leading-edge EUV technology and resources and to cultivate collaboration and innovation among a vibrant ecosystem.

The EUV Accelerator is one of three announced CHIPS for America R&D flagship facilities. Together, these facilities will provide a home for conducting world-class R&D, fostering innovation and collaboration, and reducing the time between early-stage research and commercialization. These efforts will advance America’s global leadership in design, materials, and process innovation while strengthening the country’s economic and national security. Learn more about the three CHIPS for America R&D flagship facilities at natcast.org/facilities.

Media Coverage:

Albany Business Review: Director named for new $825M semiconductor research center at Albany Nanotech Complex

Times Union: IBM chip researcher tapped to lead federal EUV lab in Albany [paywall]