QuantumDiamonds wins German Physical Society award for outstanding achievements in translating state-of-the-art physics into industrial applications
Munich, Germany - November 8, 2025 - QuantumDiamonds GmbH has been named a recipient of the 2026 Technology Transfer Award by the German Physical Society (DPG), alongside the School of Natural Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Munich Quantum Valley e.V. (MQV). The award honors the successful transfer of cutting-edge quantum sensing research into a high-speed, high-resolution diagnostic platform now used in advanced semiconductor failure analysis.
The foundation of this achievement was laid at TUM, where Prof. Dr. Dominik Bucher and his research group developed key techniques in widefield magnetic imaging using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. These quantum defects allow for precise magnetic field measurements at room temperature with sub-micron spatial resolution. During his PhD under Bucher, Dr. Fleming Bruckmaier, now CTO and co-founder of QuantumDiamonds, played a central role in building the lab’s experimental infrastructure and imaging capabilities.
Motivated by the scientific potential of this work, Bucher and Bruckmaier explored industrial relevance beyond the academic setting. With early support from Munich Quantum Valley e.V., they engaged with key stakeholders in the semiconductor sector, including Munich-based Infineon Technologies, to better understand market needs. These discussions revealed a clear opportunity in the area of failure analysis (FA), where existing techniques struggle with resolution, invasiveness, or speed.
In late 2022, Bruckmaier and Kevin Berghoff co-founded QuantumDiamonds to bring the technology from lab to fab. Within just one year, the team reduced magnetic imaging acquisition times by more than 95%, transitioning the platform from a fragile research setup to an industrial-grade system capable of inspecting densely packed chip architectures.
Today, QuantumDiamonds offers a powerful non-invasive imaging solution for current density mapping in advanced semiconductor devices, including 3D-stacked chips and heterogeneously integrated systems. The company now works with several of the world’s leading chip manufacturers.
The DPG award underscores not only the scientific innovation behind QuantumDiamonds’ technology, but also the strength of the collaborative ecosystem that enabled it. From pioneering research at TUM to commercialization through MQV-supported innovation pathways, this story exemplifies the role of academic-industry synergy in advancing European deep tech leadership.
