QuantumDiamonds, a quantum sensing company, announced a €152 million ($178.2M) investment plan to establish a production facility for advanced chip testing systems. The facility will scale production of QuantumDiamonds’ nitrogen-vacancy-diamond magnetic imaging tools, which enable fast, non-destructive fault isolation in advanced 2.5D and 3D chip architectures. The facility is expected to receive funding from the German federal and Bavarian governments under the European Chips Act. QuantumDiamonds plans installations in Europe, the U.S., and Taiwan. QuantumDiamonds announced a €152 million ($178.2M) investment plan to establish a production facility for advanced chip testing systems. Courtesy of QuantumDiamonds. LIVERMORE, Calif. — FormFactor, a semiconductor test and measurement supplier, acquired Keystone Photonics, an optical probing technology company for silicon photonics and wafer testing. The acquisition expands FormFactor’s integrated test system capabilities by combining Keystone’s advanced optical coupling technology with FormFactor’s automation and lab-to-fab expertise. The acquisition will enable faster and more accurate optical wafer testing in high-volume production of silicon photonics and co-packaged optics. BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The AR Alliance, an AR division of SPIE, added Aluvia Photonics, ColorChip Group LTD, Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS, Swave Photonics, and Vitrealab GmbH as members. The AR Alliance allows organizations of all sizes to advance and strengthen the AR hardware development ecosystem. Companies in the industry use the AR Alliance to speed innovation and breakthrough technologies and processes for building AR wearables and devices that create meaningful and positive experiences for users. DRESDEN, Germany — GlobalFoundries (GF) partnered with Finnish venture capital firm Cloudberry to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor and photonics startup ecosystem. Through this collaboration, GF will participate as a limited partner in Cloudberrry’s new fund and its commitment to provide technology expertise and resources. Additionally, GF will gain direct access to Europe’s semiconductor and photonics startups, which will allow the company to collaborate in markets such as autonomous vehicles, physical AI, Industry 4.0, and next-generation communications. Startups supported by Cloudberry will engage with GF’s technology teams and design resources. SYMONSTON, Australia — Electro Optic Systems (EOS), a remote weapon systems developer, signed an $80 million contract with a customer in the Republic of Korea. Per the contract, EOS will engage in the manufacturing and sale of a 100-kW high-energy laser weapon. Additionally, the parties will establish a joint venture to develop and supply the Korean market with 100-kW high-energy laser weapons. The contract is expected to be fulfilled after the scheduled delivery of the product at the end of 2027, and subsequent demonstrations. HAYWARDS HEATH, England — Universal Quantum, a quantum computing company, partnered with Atlas Copco Group, a vacuum and cryogenic technology company. Per the partnership, the companies will align technical roadmaps to support Universal Quantum’s modular ion trap systems. The companies aim to co-develop advanced extreme-high vacuum (XHV) systems designed for modular quantum architectures; build a U.K. and European supply chain for vacuum system equipment for quantum machines; and enable near-term prototyping and long-term production capability for future quantum systems. This collaboration will strengthen sovereign capability in the UK.. and Europe for next-generation quantum technologies, according to the companies. COLLEGE PARK, Md. — IonQ announced an expanded agreement with QuantumBasel, a competence center for quantum computing and AI. The agreement brings the total deal value of the QuantumBasel and IonQ partnership to over $60 million and extends IonQ’s on-site presence in Switzerland for four more years, continuing through 2029. QuantumBasel and IonQ are also expanding their collaborative research efforts, with workstreams focused on optimizing large language models and developing hybrid quantum-classical techniques for advanced computing use cases. CENTENNIAL, Colo. — NUBURU secured $25 million in debenture and related warrant packages. The financing will enable NUBURU to execute its previously announced acquisition and integration roadmap, advancing its transformation into a vertically integrated, multi-domain defense & security platform. BRUSSELS — The EU invested €5 million ($5.8M) in a project that will allow fiber optic cable lines under roads, fields, and seas to double up as sensors capable of spotting earthquakes, monitoring traffic, and detecting changes in the natural environment. The work is being led by the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre, together with a network of academic and industrial partners across Europe, under a team called ICON. ICON is developing an intent interpreter, which will convert simple requests into technical instructions, and a digital twin that shows how the fiber is behaving. The two tools will allow fiber to carry internet traffic and run a low-level optical signal used for measurements simultaneously. ICON will run for three years. Findings will be shared openly with industry and research bodies to help wider adoption. GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — Solir Optics, a protective eyewear company, launched a collection that is designed to protect eyes from harmful invisible light, both indoor and outdoor. The collection combines IR defense, UV415 protection, blue-light filtration, and advanced visible-light control to deliver enhanced contrast, lasting comfort, and comprehensive protection in demanding light environments. Solir Optics’ lens technology blocks >90% of infrared between 780 and 2000 nm, reducing thermal stress for sustained eye health. The collection features an infrared filtration that helps shield personal privacy by disrupting biometric scanning.