imec Wiki

imec (Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre) is a leading nonprofit research and innovation hub based in Leuven, Belgium, focused on semiconductor scaling, advanced materials, nanoelectronics, and digital technologies. Founded in 1984, imec serves as a global R&D partner for semiconductor companies, foundries, equipment vendors, and academic institutions. It plays a central role in defining post-Moore’s Law roadmaps, including GAAFET, CFET, backside power delivery, 2D materials, and quantum computing.

imec’s work bridges the lab-to-fab gap—accelerating the transition of early-stage research into manufacturing-ready technologies. It is often referred to as the “Bell Labs of the semiconductor era,” driving foundational innovations from 7nm down to sub-1nm.

Basic Facts

Technology Focus Areas

1. CMOS Scaling

• imec leads in CMOS 2.0 R&D: GAAFET, CFET, backside power delivery, buried power rails.

• Hosts annual ITF (Imec Technology Forum) to showcase device and system roadmaps.

2. System and Chiplet Integration

• Advanced packaging research: hybrid bonding, 3DIC, chiplet disaggregation.

• Collaborates on UCIe interconnect and system-level performance scaling.

3. Materials and Lithography

• Partners with ASML and others to develop EUV and High-NA EUV lithography.

• Explores 2D materials (e.g., MoS₂, WS₂) and novel channel materials for sub-1nm nodes.

4. AI Hardware and Neuromorphic

• Investigates in-memory compute, analog AI, and photonic accelerators.

• Emphasis on low-power edge AI and compute-in-sensor designs.

5. Quantum and Beyond-CMOS

• Quantum device and cryogenic CMOS research for scalable quantum control.

• Carbon nanotubes and spintronic-based device exploration.

Strategic Collaborations

• Intel: Co-development on CFET, interconnects, system technology co-optimization (STCO).

• TSMC: Lithography and EUV research, GAAFET modeling.

• ASML: Joint roadmap for High-NA EUV systems and mask optimization.

• Samsung, Micron, GlobalFoundries, SK hynix: Device exploration and materials modeling.

• Lam Research, Applied Materials: Process co-optimization.

Notable Quotes

“imec is the global lighthouse guiding the industry beyond Moore’s Law—one node ahead, one decade early.”
— Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel

“We see imec as our most critical R&D partner for sub-2nm scaling and lithography evolution.”
— C.C. Wei, CEO of TSMC

“Innovation is no longer about scaling in one dimension. It’s about co-optimizing devices, systems, and architectures—and imec is where that integration happens.”
— Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec

“High-NA EUV wouldn’t exist without imec’s long-term partnership with ASML and early mask research.”
— Martin van den Brink, former CTO of ASML

“imec’s ecosystem is like a sandbox for the semiconductor future—if you want to build the next transistor, you go to Leuven.”
— Mukesh Khare, IBM Research

Milestones Timeline

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Role in Industry

imec is technology-neutral—it does not compete with commercial foundries or fabs. Instead, it facilitates pre-competitive R&D across companies, providing shared infrastructure, simulation models, and process development kits (PDKs). Its influence is visible in nearly every cutting-edge node from 10nm to A14/14A and beyond.

Also Read:

CMOS 2.0

3D IC Wiki

 

 

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