HLL Completion Part
On July 13, 2026, the Max Planck Society’s Semiconductor Laboratory (HLL), together with its scientific partners, celebrated the reestablishment of the Sensor Technology research division at HLL
The event also marked the completion of the final construction phase and the commissioning of the modernized infrastructure. After nearly two decades, this opens a new chapter in the development of innovative semiconductor detectors and sensor technologie
As early as 2008, the HLL expressed a desire to replace the lease of the former Infineon cleanroom in Neuperlach—which it had occupied since 2001—with an independent, central Max Planck laboratory. An important milestone came in 2013 with the restructuring of the HLL—which until then had been a “joint venture” between the Max Planck Institute for Physics (MPP) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE)—into a central institution of the Max Planck Society (MPG), thereby establishing clear leadership structures.
Prof. Dr. Siegfried Bethke, who served as the HLL’s Executive Director from 2013 to 2023, recalled in his speech the numerous ideas that were pursued but ultimately had to be discarded for various reasons: Under consideration were collaborations with partners such as Fraunhofer EMFT, the Technical University of Munich, and DESY, as well as a temporary location on the grounds of the University of the German Armed Forces. The current location on the IPP campus had been under consideration since 2016. As time was running out due to the expiring lease agreement with Siemens, construction work in Garching finally began at the end of 2019; the topping-out ceremony followed in 2020, and the grand opening ceremony finally took place in 2024.
Construction Challenges: Engineering Excellence and Global Crises
However, the path to the completed laboratory was anything but straightforward. The new building, which now accommodates around 50 employees across approximately 2,500 square meters of usable space, combines an office wing with a modern laboratory wing. A particular challenge in terms of engineering was the decision to forgo a basement, which was not feasible due to various regulatory requirements. Instead, the cleanroom was located on the first floor. This allowed the necessary technical rooms to be housed both below and above it, ensuring efficient technical support for the cleanroom.
Tobias Küblböck, project planner at Diederichs, and Katharina Vierneisel-Koch from the General Administration’s construction department recalled the numerous hurdles that had to be overcome: The COVID-19 crisis and the subsequent war in Ukraine, along with new legal regulations and revised permits, presented the project with ever-changing challenges and led to continuously rising construction costs. The fact that the team persevered nonetheless makes today’s occasion all the more meaningful: “That’s exactly why it makes us all the happier that we can now stand here together after all the crises we’ve weathered together.”
The “Wild Ride” of the Hook-Up
However, the building’s completion in the spring of 2024 was only the beginning. Christiane Winter, who advised the HLL from the very beginning, described the subsequent “Hook-Up” work as a standalone, highly complex construction project. What is commonly defined as “the last meter to the equipment” went far beyond that here: In addition to connecting the scientific systems, existing building services systems were specifically adapted, optimized, and in some cases supplemented or replaced with new components. This was complemented by the installation of highly specialized scientific equipment. Winter praised the well-coordinated team consisting of the planning office, contractors, and users: “None of this is normal—that’s not how a construction project usually works. But the hook-up at the HLL is a real challenge, and that’s precisely why it’s so extraordinary and exciting.”
While construction was still underway, the laboratory faced the enormous logistical task of relocating the production line from Neuperlach to Garching. Since the old lease was expiring, all equipment had to be dismantled before the new building was fully certified. Upon taking over the building at the end of 2024, the HLL also assumed the role of project owner for the remaining modifications. This “entailed various challenges, also from an administrative perspective,” emphasized Administrative Director Sabine Krabichler, since “normally, no construction work takes place at the HLL or in the administration.”
Furthermore, while the technical building infrastructure and cleanroom operations were handled by the landlord in Neuperlach, the HLL had to assume full responsibility for these complex systems at the new location. The new facility management team played a crucial role in this process. It had to be assembled under intense pressure and, in a very short time, understand the complex building systems, learn the specific requirements of scientific research, and ensure the smooth operation of the utility systems. However, the success of this effort was due to the tremendous dedication of the entire HLL staff. Many employees took on additional responsibilities and familiarized themselves with new areas of expertise to make the successful launch at the new location possible. Head of Laboratory Dr. Jelena Ninkovic highlighted the extraordinary dedication of the entire staff, who went far beyond their actual duties during this phase: “Instead of focusing exclusively on research, you dealt with building services, utility supply, cleanroom infrastructure, and countless other topics.”
Technological Quantum Leaps
However, this enormous effort was not an end in itself, but rather the necessary foundation for a scientific leap forward. Accordingly, the full resumption of research and production marks “not the end of a long project, but the beginning of a new chapter,” said Ninkovic. For the HLL is also breaking new ground scientifically: In the new “Nano Fabrication Lab,” the HLL will collaborate with project partners to develop new technologies for use in quantum computers.
By reestablishing its sensor technology capabilities, the HLL is strengthening its role as a leading research and technology platform for innovative semiconductor detectors—ranging from basic research to applications in astrophysics, photon science, materials science, and particle physics. Executive Director Prof. Dr. Allen Caldwell commented: “What once began as a simple building replacement is now an indispensable European foundation for the next generation of quantum technology.” He also offered a further glimpse into the future: “To keep pace with the rapid developments, plans for an expansion are already in full swing.”