INTERVIEW WITH QUANTUM DESIGN

For more than 50 years, Quantum Design Europe has been one of the leading distributors of high-tech systems and components for research and industry. With 120 employees in 20 European countries, Quantum Design offers the broadest selection with an exciting mix of suppliers from long-established corporations on the one hand and innovative start-up companies on the other. 

The company provides well-founded and independent advice catered to customers’ specific requirements; from this perspective, they position as agents between highly specialized manufacturers and the world of scientists and their challenges. Such an approach can only work when all partners are on an equal level; therefore, the motto: “From scientists to scientists”. In line with this aspiration, all their sales and service employees have a scientific or engineering degree.

Quantum Design started in 1970 as Oriel GmbH, as representative of Oriel Instruments, an American manufacturer of components and systems for the optical laboratories. Later names change reflect a change of ownership and the expansion of our product portfolio.

Today, Quantum Design Europe is part of the globally active Quantum Design International Group with headquarters in San Diego, USA. This makes them a proud part of the first global high-tech distribution network with subsidiaries all around the world.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

QUANTUM DESIGN: Quantum Design Europe supplies components and instruments which address a wide range of applications: materials, optics and spectroscopy, imaging, light & lasers, electron microscopy and, last but not least, magnetism, cryogenics, and life sciences.

E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?

QUANTUM DESIGN: The latest products in our range are the electrospinning and electrospraying equipment from Bioinicia. We have also just added the complete portfolio of Lake Shore and Janis (a Lake Shore Company). This makes us the first address when you look for cryogenic equipment and magnetic measurements.

E.E: What are the ranges of traded products?

QUANTUM DESIGN: The ranges are:

  • Scientific cameras from X-ray to IR and hyperspectral imaging systems;
  • Systems and components to characterize magnetic, mechanical, optical and thermal material properties, including cryogenic probe stations;
  • Spectrometers, modular optical spectroscopy and components;
  • Platform for correlative microscopy (SEM and atomic force microscopy – AFM); in situ stages for EM/TEM/CT, sample preparation, detectors and accessories;
  • Low temperature cooling systems, helium liquefiers and helium gas purifiers; superconducting magnetic systems;
  • Optical filters, scientific light sources and light power measurement devices.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

QUANTUM DESIGN: Our market is mature, very dynamic and diversified. We mainly address the needs of the scientific community.

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

QUANTUM DESIGN: We aim to provide our customers with the right instruments to enable them to obtain the most relevant data for their scientific research projects. This is a dynamic market where all equipment and instrumentation must provide the highest possible sensitivity, repeatability, and reliability from data acquisition to remote control and diagnosis. We keep in close contact with our customers, thus ensuring that their needs are met and that their feed-back is heard by our partners.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

QUANTUM DESIGN: Three products particularly incorporate knowledge and skills gathered and developed over the last years: a) The cryogen-free optical cryostat with 7-Tesla field OptiCool from Quantum Design; b) The AFSEM system from GETec which allows the combination of the customer’s SEM with the capabilities of an atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFSEM is compatible with most SEM and FIB/SEM systems on the market and can easily be added to any system; c) The world’s fastest large-format near infrared camera, Cheetah from Xenics with a maximum frame rate of up to 1700 fps at 640 x 512 pixels.

E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?

QUANTUM DESIGN: Our perspective for 2021 is moderately optimistic.

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