While the semiconductor industry continues to struggle, a quantum revolution is quietly reshaping what is possible in the future.
Sept. 17, 2025 –
Europe’s quantum community is witnessing the transformative potential of quantum technologies to revolutionize not just computing but the entire European semiconductor ecosystem.
While the semiconductor industry continues to struggle with geopolitical tensions, supply chain vulnerabilities, and a relentless push toward smaller manufacturing process nodes, a quantum revolution is quietly reshaping what is possible in the future.
Casual observers of quantum computing assume that all systems require temperatures colder than that of outer space to maintain qubit stability and minimize errors. However, there are other approaches, such as room-temperature systems based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers, that can operate under ambient conditions without the need for complex and energy-intensive cryogenic hardware.
When quantum processors can perform computations at the edge or in data centers without infrastructure requirements, or when quantum sensors are able to operate in industrial environments and monitor magnetic fields with unparalleled precision, we are looking at a paradigm shift with practical and deployable quantum devices that could completely redefine Europe’s position in the global semiconductor value chain.
Europe’s semiconductor industry transition to the quantum era directly plays to its existing strengths. Manufacturing room-temperature qubits requires atomic-level precision in nitrogen implantation and subsequent processing. Those requirements align perfectly with Europe’s expertise in advanced materials and process engineering.
The quantum transition could also revitalize segments of the European semiconductor industry that have struggled to remain competitive with Asian manufacturing scale.
With established research institutions and industries in place, the quantum manufacturing supply chain presents a unique opportunity for the European Union. Unlike traditional semiconductor manufacturing, which has become increasingly concentrated in Asia, quantum device fabrication requires specialized knowledge in quantum materials, precision optics, and novel packaging techniques. Europe already leads in many of the relevant areas, from diamond synthesis to quantum control systems.
The immediate commercial opportunity lies not in quantum supremacy for computational problems but in quantum sensing applications that provide tangible value in industrial settings. Room-temperature quantum sensors can detect magnetic fields with sensitivities approaching fundamental quantum limits, offering near-term useful applications in mobility, medical devices, and industrial monitoring...