More Power for Artificial Intelligence

By acquiring the measuring technology of Unity-SC, Merck is strengthening its position in AI chips. The strategic combination of the electronics and optics industries is opening up new horizons. 

The Electronics business sector of Merck acquired Unity-SC on October 31, 2024. At first glance, this represents an expansion of our portfolio in the field of advanced measuring and quality testing technology for the manufacture of semiconductors. Unity-SC is among the world’s most innovative manufacturers in this area. The expertise of Unity-SC strengthens our key position in the manufacturing of AI chips, the development of which is shaped by key trends such as advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration.  

However, upon taking a closer look, you’ll find that this acquisition is also an important step in our strategic evolution that combines our expertise in semiconductors and optics. That’s why we’re giving our display business a new name: Optronics. This represents our transformation from a displays specialist into a leading provider of cutting-edge optical technology for electronics. Together with Unity-SC, we are mastering the crucial interplay of light and materials: the generation, modulation, conduction, and analysis of light. 

Driving innovation in AI through advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration

Artificial intelligence requires continuous innovation for ever-faster processing of vast data volumes. To make this as energy efficient as possible, it is necessary to bring the crucial chips for processors and memories as close together as possible to minimize energy-intensive data transfer across large distances. Advanced packaging enables 3D stacking of chips for highly compact chip systems, ensuring more efficient data transmission and higher power density. Heterogeneous integration breaks apart formerly monolithic chips and then reconnects them using advanced packaging. Here too, compaction in all three dimensions plays a major role. In addition, this gives chip designers more flexibility for system optimization. 

Technology from Unity-SC plays a key role in both areas. The precise measurement of three-dimensional structures and constant quality testing in a complex production sequence with hundreds of interlinking processes are what make these kinds of chip systems possible in the first place. Without precise measurements, it would not be possible to reliably manage this production process. Even the smallest deviations reduce quality and increase the number of expensive and already finished chip components that are rejected, bringing about significant financial losses for costly and constantly sold-out AI chips.

Measuring technology strengthens the position of Merck in chip production 

With advanced measuring technology, Merck occupies a key position in the manufacture of complex AI chips – in addition to its leading role in materials. Thanks to Merck, the major chip manufacturers benefit from the integration of another process step and its optimization by an experienced technology partner. The longstanding relationships between Merck and virtually all major manufacturers offer good opportunities to expand the semiconductor business to include measurement and testing technology. 

Combination of electronics and optics opens new perspectives 

The interplay of electronics and optics offers major opportunities for Merck. We see great potential in the future fields of silicon photonics and virtual reality in particular. Silicon photonics is currently accelerating data transmission by integrating optical data connections directly into the chip, which is increasingly becoming a bottleneck in today’s AI accelerators. In virtual reality, we are seeing the development of lightweight headsets in glasses form with the power of a smartphone. Such an optoelectronic device would require new materials and processes. In short, the integration of optics and electronics is central to these important future technologies. 

Expertise in semiconductors and optics complement each other 

Mastering complex processes and ambitious collaboration in a chain with specialist high-tech companies is one of the traditional strengths of Merck. This applies equally to semiconductors and optical materials. Material systems for the management of light – in OLED displays, for example – are something we specialize in.  

Our material and process development, one of our core areas of expertise, wouldn’t be possible at all without high-precision optical measurement methods. In this area, Unity-SC will add important expertise to our portfolio, which will help us to understand our customers’ problems better and quicker.  

Both fields are already benefiting strongly from each other. For example, material development for displays works with the knowledge and experience of photolithography from the semiconductor field and vice versa. Modern, highly complex optical coating systems increasingly use coating technologies from the field of semiconductors, which often enable integration in existing systems. Our research on materials for quantum computers and neuromorphic computing also utilizes the joint expertise gained in display and semiconductor technology. 

Together toward a successful future 

Working in the semiconductor industry has always been exciting. But with the revolutionary changes brought about by artificial intelligence, we are reaching new levels of speed, innovation and complexity. Our semiconductor and light management specialists are part of this revolution. And one more thing: This joint organization is strengthening our role and making us fit for future challenges.