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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Research

Semiconductor
Metrology

Empowering UK innovation through precision measurement standards

Semiconductor technology enables our digital world, driving advancements in computing, sensing, advanced telecommunications and emerging fields such as quantum technology. Forming the core hardware for critical innovations, semiconductors are essential to the production of contemporary digital devices – from smartphones and laptops to vehicles and complex electronic systems.  

Its versatility has led to widespread applications across all areas of emerging technology, delivering automation, precision control and real time data processing. Serving as the backbone for artificial intelligence (AI) and modern electronic systems, semiconductors have seen a significant surge in global demand. In parallel, shifts in the geopolitical landscape have exposed vulnerabilities in the UK’s semiconductor supply chain, highlighting the strategic importance of enhancing national resilience and capabilities.  

The semiconductor industry is at the forefront of innovation, driven by the increasing demand for faster, more efficient, and more reliable devices. As technologies evolve, new materials and architectures such as compound semiconductors, low dimensional materials, chiplets, photonics and 3D semiconductor integration offer promising solutions to meet the needs of next-generation electronic systems.

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Global trends in metrology for semiconductors include:

  • Nanoscale-to-wafer scale metrology for materials & devices
  • Digital metrology for semiconductor manufacture
  • In-process monitoring and hybrid metrology
  • Material defects and failure analysis
  • Advanced packaging (3D stacks & chiplets)
  • Device and package reliability (RF, Power, Photonics)
  • Emerging materials (3D Nanostructures, 2D materials, organic/hybrid, ultra-wide bandgap)

UK priorities in semiconductor metrology and standard

This report has been developed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It sets out the UK’s priorities for metrology and standards to support innovation and growth in semiconductor technologies.

The global semiconductor sector is changing quickly, driven by new materials, advanced device designs, and demand from artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, clean energy, and electrified transport. The UK has strengths in compound semiconductors, photonics, advanced materials, design and modelling, but these capabilities need a clear and connected measurement framework to translate into industrial advantage.

The report explains why trusted measurements and internationally recognised standards are essential for innovation, supply chain resilience and global market access. It identifies the areas where progress in metrology and standardisation is most needed and sets out practical priorities. Its purpose is to guide coordinated action across industry, government, academia and national laboratories to help the UK convert scientific capability into commercial leadership.

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Metrology for semiconductors

At every stage of the innovation cycle, stakeholders need to prove that new semiconductor materials or devices perform as expected. This is achieved through measurement, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring that devices meet practical application standards. Metrology—the science of measurement—is crucial for determining the physical properties and performance of semiconductor materials and devices.

When measurements differ between parts of the supply chain, it creates a lack of trust, financial losses and slows the pace of innovation. Ensuring that metrology and inspection practices are standardised, reproducible and comparable is critical to maintaining confidence and fostering innovation in the next generation of semiconductor technologies.

As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) applies expertise across advanced telecommunications, energy, quantum, life-sciences and defence to support semiconductor supply chains. We deliver metrology services and develop novel characterisation standards (skills, techniques, and technology) to support UK innovation and manufacturing, working directly with industry, leading academics and policy makers. Our experts convene the UK semiconductor community to identify priorities in measurement and test capabilities to support growth and influence the development of international standards.

Standards for semiconductors

The integration of semiconductors into everyday systems and the convergence of critical technologies demands robust standards to ensure the security, safety and optimal performance of commercial products.

NPL plays a central role in establishing metrology standards that drive innovation within the UK semiconductor sector. By delivering highly accurate benchmarks, NPL supports manufacturers, safeguards end users and strengthens industrial confidence.  These standards not only shape technical capabilities but also advance developments in compound semiconductors, advanced materials and packaging technologies, positioning the UK as a leader in semiconductor metrology.

As the reference point for UK metrology, NPL convenes semiconductor ecosystems to uncover the measurement and test standards required to support national infrastructure. Through international collaborations and joint research initiatives, we align UK strengths with global priorities, enabling shared progress.

Through leadership in global pre-standards research, NPL provides UK industry with early access to emerging best practices and helps build trust in international supply chains. In 2025, NPL’s recommendations will be published and we will continue to work with industry to ensure consistent adoption of best practice across the UK and beyond.

ISPF Project - Setting Standards for Semiconductors

From November 2023 to March 2025, NPL was appointed to deliver the Project “Setting Standards for Semiconductors” as part of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), a global collaboration to accelerate clean energy innovation. The project aimed to engage with national and international organisations to define requirements for standards in compound and advanced-material semiconductors.

UK focus  

As a result of direct consultation with over 150 stakeholders from industry (including non-government organisations such as NMI (Tech Works), CSAC, IfM Engage and many others), research and development (R&D) and academia, NPL identified a series of UK priorities for measurement characterisation capabilities and test standards for semiconductors. This research, gathered over two years of stakeholder engagement and a series of workshops, will be published in 2025.

NPL also launched the Measurement for Business (M4B) programme dedicated to semiconductor development in January 2024 to provide bespoke expertise that can accelerate product or service development and speed to market.  

International focus  

The international focus engaged with organisations in the US, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, positioning the UK as a leader in the development of measurement and test standards for semiconductors. In addition, this project also allowed NPL to extend engagement to EU countries via international networks such as VAMAS and the European Metrology Network on Advanced Manufacturing. 

Selected highlights as a result of the international activities: 

  • Identified key international priorities through direct engagement (visits, discussions, workshops, etc) with hundreds of individuals from industry, R&D, academia and government across those countries  
  • Increased influence, leadership and understanding of industry and R&D requirements, due to stronger interpersonal and institutional relationships  
  • Increased awareness of UK’s expertise
  • Initiated new technical collaborations 
  • Supported numerous bilateral government to government international discussions and initiatives

A summary report of the UK priorities identified will be published on the NPL website and shared with the UK community to continue the dialogue and help inform future R&D activities within the UK and with international partners. The international focus has advanced UK knowledge and capability in semiconductor device testing, established the UK’s leading role in delivering a roadmap for international pre-standards research and stimulated the formation of a new Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) Semiconductors UK working group.  

Capabilities

NPL has unique measurement capabilities, research facilities and international expertise for supporting the UK semiconductor industry, including electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical, structural, thermal, and dimensional measurement parameters. These capabilities are available to our partners for contractual services, collaborative R&D, and through grant-funded schemes. We also engage collaborate with industrial and international partners to develop new standards and reference materials, as well as representing UK interests on technical standards committees.  

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Are you developing a product or service in semiconductor technology?

If you are a small medium enterprise find out how Measurement for Business could help.

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Our team

NPL has over fifty highly respected scientists contributing to the semiconductor programme working across energy, health, prosperity, security and other areas of emerging technology. Our scientists work at the heart of the international Semiconductor industry, representing the UK on international committees to ensure that the UK’s needs are met by International Standards as they are developed. NPL’s independence means that we are strategically placed to bring together multiple partners from across industry and academia, locally and internationally.  

NPL currently leads the EU Metrology project (EMPIR) on Metrology in Manufacturing Compound Semiconductors 2021-2024 (a UK and European partnership), and the Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS) global partnership.   

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