On October 28, FormFactor, a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full integrated circuit life cycle, announced it had completed the acquisition of High Precision Devices, Inc. (HPD, CSA CSM), a leader in precision cryogenic instruments. Located in Boulder CO, HPD is a respected supplier of scientific instruments, especially cryogenic probe systems and cryostats capable of extremely low temperatures. The business has been growing rapidly to serve emerging quantum computing, superconducting computing and ultra sensitive sensor markets which operate at temperatures as low as 30 millikelvin. HPD’s technical team brings highly specialized skills and know-how to address the unique test challenges for these emerging technologies.

The HPD acquisition complements FormFactor’s existing line of cryogenic wafer probe systems and cryogenic engineering probes while expanding its market reach with cryostats for die and package testing, along with lower-temperature wafer probe capabilities. Leveraging the combined strength and scale of HPD and FormFactor, a broad portfolio of ultralow temperature test technologies can now be offered to enable scientific and industrial customers to tackle important societal challenges such as the next steps in solving the data center energy crisis or opening the astonishing possibilities of quantum computing.

Years of development will be required for many of the fields’ essential components. Conceptualization, prototyping and refinement of these superconducting devices can only be performed at cryogenic temperatures. HPD’s 4 K cryogenic probe stations and milliKelvin adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) research cryostats serve a vital role in many of these endeavors.

Speaking at FormFactor’s annual COMPASS online user conference on November 17, Charlie Danaher, HPD’s new business development director, hosted a presentation covering HPD and its products entitled Advancing Quantum Computing (and Other Exciting Science) with Low Temperature Probe Stations and milliKelvin Research Cryostats (HPD).

In the presentation, Danaher covered the fields of quantum computing and superconducting computing and the tremendous growth they are experiencing. Both will likely have profound impacts on various technologies, including those in our everyday lives. http://www.hpd-online.com