CAMECA SAS

Their core work

CAMECA is a French manufacturer of advanced scientific instruments specializing in metrology and materials characterization at the nanoscale. In H2020, they contribute semiconductor metrology expertise to large European electronics initiatives, supporting the development of next-generation chip manufacturing processes at the 2nm node and beyond. Their instruments — used for 3D materials analysis and process control — are essential for pushing Moore's Law forward in European semiconductor R&D.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CAMECA's earliest H2020 involvement (3DAM, 2016) focused broadly on 3D metrology and advanced materials characterization. By 2020-2021, their work narrowed sharply toward semiconductor process technology at the 2nm node, with explicit focus on DTCO/STCO integration, heterogeneous materials, and manufacturing-ready metrology. This trajectory shows a clear shift from general nanoscale characterization toward direct participation in Europe's most ambitious chip manufacturing programs.

CAMECA is moving deeper into sub-2nm semiconductor manufacturing support, making them a likely partner for future European Chips Act and ECSEL-type initiatives requiring advanced characterization equipment.

How they like to work

CAMECA operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a specialized equipment and metrology provider embedded in large semiconductor consortia. With 58 unique partners across 14 countries from just 3 projects, they work in very large consortia (ECSEL-type projects often have 30+ partners). This makes them an accessible partner: they are accustomed to working within complex, multi-national project structures and delivering specific technical contributions without requiring project leadership overhead.

Despite only 3 projects, CAMECA has collaborated with 58 distinct partners across 14 countries, reflecting the massive scale of ECSEL semiconductor consortia. Their network spans the core European semiconductor ecosystem — likely including major fabs, equipment makers, research institutes, and universities across Western Europe.

What sets them apart

CAMECA brings world-class metrology instrumentation to European semiconductor R&D — they are one of few companies that can characterize materials and processes at the atomic scale needed for sub-2nm nodes. For consortium builders, CAMECA fills the critical "measurement and characterization" slot that every advanced semiconductor project requires. Their parent company AMETEK gives them industrial-scale manufacturing backing that pure research labs cannot match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 3DAM
  Largest EC contribution (EUR 344,562) and CAMECA's entry into H2020 semiconductor metrology, focused on 3D characterization techniques for advanced devices.
• IT2
  Flagship 2nm node project bringing together Europe's semiconductor ecosystem to develop IC technology beyond current manufacturing limits.
• ID2PPAC
  Targets the full integration challenge for 2nm — power, performance, area, and cost — representing the most manufacturing-oriented project in CAMECA's portfolio.