In a landmark development for Europe’s microchip manufacturing landscape, Denmark has formally inaugurated the POEM Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the production of advanced semiconductor wafers. On August 21, at a ceremony marking its official launch, key stakeholders from academia and industry gathered to celebrate what promises to be a pivotal step toward European self-reliance in microchip technology. The center is the result of a strategic partnership between the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) and French semiconductor equipment manufacturer RIBER. Housed within the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen, the POEM Technology Center represents Denmark’s first facility capable of producing 300 mm wafers—the industry standard for cutting-edge microchip fabrication.
Microchips have been dubbed “the oil of the 21st century,” underscoring their critical role in powering everything from smartphones and automobiles to medical devices and defense systems. Despite this ubiquity and soaring global demand, Europe has long depended heavily on imports from Asia and the United States to meet its semiconductor needs. This reliance poses vulnerabilities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and supply chain disruptions. The establishment of the POEM Technology Center directly addresses this issue by positioning Denmark to become a significant player in wafer production at the highest technological levels.
The core of semiconductor manufacturing lies in the creation of ultra-pure wafers—thin slices of crystalline material that serve as the substrate upon which integrated circuits are built. POEM’s capability to manufacture 300 mm wafers is a notable upgrade because larger wafer sizes enable more chips per wafer, driving both cost-efficiency and scalability in chip production. This is especially critical as demand escalates for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient microchips across diverse industries. The advanced production processes employed at POEM incorporate molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), a technique that enables the deposition of atomically precise thin layers onto the wafer surfaces.
Molecular beam epitaxy is a meticulously controlled process, essential for fabricating semiconductor wafers used in quantum and photonic chips. It involves directing beams of atoms or molecules onto the wafer within an ultra-high vacuum environment, allowing the material to deposit layer by layer with incredible precision and purity. The unparalleled control MBE provides over material interfaces makes it indispensable for crafting devices that rely on quantum mechanical properties—a cornerstone of next-generation quantum computing and photonic technologies. This technology sets POEM apart, enabling Denmark to pioneer research and development not only in conventional microchips but also in quantum hardware.
The facility’s creation directly supports NQCP’s ambitious 10-year vision to develop scalable, efficient quantum computers. High-fidelity quantum chips demand wafer substrates manufactured to exacting standards of structural perfection and purity—standards that MBE technology at POEM is designed to meet. By internalizing wafer production, researchers will gain unprecedented access to bespoke fabrication processes, facilitating rapid experimentation and iteration cycles. This level of control is expected to dramatically accelerate the development of quantum devices, shortening the path from conceptual breakthroughs to practical quantum computing hardware.
Beyond academic research, the POEM Technology Center is built to serve a broader industrial ecosystem. By offering access to prototype wafer production, it opens the door for startups, established companies, and collaborative innovation projects across Europe. This dual utility embodies a modern approach to semiconductor innovation—blending basic research, applied development, and industry partnership all under one roof. Located in the new Niels Bohr Building, the center will be operated by a dedicated team of engineers and technicians jointly employed by NQCP and RIBER, ensuring the facility benefits from both cutting-edge equipment and global industrial expertise.
The collaboration between Danish research institutions and RIBER reflects a growing desire for synergy between academia’s fundamental innovation capabilities and private sector technological prowess. RIBER contributes its advanced MBE machine technologies, elevating Denmark’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity while gaining access to world-class research expertise accumulated at the Niels Bohr Institute. This mutually beneficial exchange is a model of how high-tech challenges in the chip industry can be addressed through transnational and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Several renowned Danish entities, including DTU Nanolab, NATO Diana, and Aarhus University, have also thrown their weight behind the POEM initiative, aiming to strengthen Denmark’s national microchip and quantum technology ecosystem. Their involvement ensures a comprehensive approach to advancing manufacturing capacity, fundamental research, and applied technology development. Such collaboration helps establish Denmark not only as a center of excellence in quantum research but also as an integral player on Europe’s semiconductor production map.
Politically, the POEM center aligns with broader European ambitions to reduce dependence on non-European chip imports, enhancing technological sovereignty in the face of intensified global competition. As semiconductor supply chains have been disrupted in recent years by geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic, having homegrown capabilities has moved from a strategic goal to a pressing necessity. The facility marks a concrete milestone toward achieving that goal, providing Europe with a foothold in the domain of advanced wafer fabrication.
From a technical perspective, the implementation of molecular beam epitaxy in wafer production within Europe is a breakthrough. It exemplifies the forefront of materials science and semiconductor engineering, leveraging ultra-high purity environments and atomic-scale precision to push the boundaries of chip design. The ability to craft photonic chips on 300 mm wafers not only supports future quantum computing architectures but also paves the way for rapid developments in optical data processing, high-speed communications, and photonic integrated circuits that can outperform traditional electronic counterparts.
The new center encapsulates both the promise and the challenges of semiconductor innovation in the 21st century. It deals with the most demanding fabrication techniques while fostering innovation ecosystems capable of translating research into commercial solutions. By consolidating wafer production and research capabilities, Denmark is set to become a hub where next-generation semiconductor technologies can be developed and industrialized efficiently.
As global competition intensifies, facilities like POEM represent more than just manufacturing nodes; they become strategic innovation engines driving technological leadership and economic growth. By investing in this cutting-edge infrastructure and leveraging collaborative expertise, Denmark and its European partners aim to shape the future landscape of microchip technology, quantum computing hardware, and photonic devices.
The POEM Technology Center’s expected full operational status within a year signals a rapid advancement timeline, reflecting urgency and ambition. Its successful completion and integration into the European semiconductor ecosystem could serve as a blueprint for similar centers across the continent, enabling Europe to regain and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving semiconductor arena.
Subject of Research: Advanced semiconductor wafer production and quantum chip development
Article Title: Denmark Launches POEM Technology Center to Revolutionize Microchip and Quantum Computing Industries
News Publication Date: August 21, 2023
Web References: https://mediasvc.eurekalert.org/Api/v1/Multimedia/1e045276-aedb-425f-804a-25aae4bc3edd/Rendition/low-res/Content/Public
Image Credits: University of Copenhagen
Keywords: Semiconductor wafers, molecular beam epitaxy, quantum computing, photonic chips, microchip manufacturing, European semiconductor independence, NQCP, RIBER, POEM Technology Center, Niels Bohr Institute, 300 mm wafers, quantum hardware
