Design Study & Prototyping of curved Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) / FCFT-PR134149-FRI

The Request for information (RFI) is published to identify institutes, research organizations/corporations and companies interested in and capable of developing a process to curve CMOS detectors and to produce several prototypes. The result of the RFI will serve as input to define the procurement strategy as well as the terms for a potential contract. The scope of work is based on 4 steps. The immediate objectives of the project are to identify and further develop the most promising process to curve an existing flat CMOS detector die and to produce a packaged curved CMOS detector. The second step should be the demonstration of the curving process using bare silicon wafers. In a third step, several curved prototypes using non-functional, but real detector wafers / dies shall be produced and (shape wise/cryogenic) tested to confirm the previous phases. Finally, several curved prototypes using functional detector wafers / dies shall be produced and tested. To achieve the immediate objectives, ESO plans to fund a contained design study and prototyping activity to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) where necessary. In that context, ESO is looking for interested suppliers to perform the said design study. The long-term goal is the development and procurement of a reliably working curved cryogenic scientific CMOS detector in a standardized fashion with a ratio between the radius of curvature and the diameter of the detector of maximum 4 (or in the best case even lower) at best achievable specification. The RFI will be released in Q1/2026 to potential suppliers in the ESO Member States. Based on the outcome of the RFI, ESO will define the procurement strategy. The exact dates for the release of the potential Call for tender (CFT) will be defined along with such procurement strategy and communicated to interested suppliers accordingly. Nevertheless, the forecast is a release of the CFT in Q2/2026.

External link to procurement, here