Skylark Lasers
Skylark Lasers is an Edinburgh-based photonics company that designs and manufactures ultra-stable single-frequency CW DPSS lasers at 320/349/780/785nm, serving academic researchers and industrial OEMs in quantum sensing, semiconductor inspection, Raman spectroscopy, and holographic applications globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Skylark Lasers does
Skylark Lasers is an Edinburgh-based photonics company founded in 2013 that designs and manufactures ultra-stable single-frequency continuous-wave diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers at 320nm, 349nm, 780nm, and 785nm wavelengths. Its flagship Skylark NX product family targets applications requiring narrow-linewidth, low-noise sources — including cold-atom physics, rubidium cell locking, semiconductor inspection, Raman spectroscopy, holographic recording, and flow cytometry — with a more recent NX Micro COTS system aimed at portable quantum gravity gradiometry. Lasers are built under Class 5 cleanroom conditions using a proprietary DPSS architecture that the company states delivers sub-Hz linewidth performance and an 88% lower total cost of ownership versus legacy gas-laser alternatives in comparable use cases.
The company sells primarily into two customer groups: academic and government research laboratories (named reference customers include Linköping University, Martin Luther University, Nottingham Trent University, and Heriot-Watt University) and industrial OEMs integrating lasers into commercial instruments. Revenue is generated through quote-based hardware sales and custom OEM configurations, with a stated average lead time of 4–8 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. Distribution is hybrid: direct sales supplemented by a network of more than 10 regional partners, with recent additions including Axiom Optics (US/Canada, October 2025), JLC (Japan, renewed October 2025), and Intralink-engaged China coverage (September 2025).
Operationally, the company has scaled headcount on the back of multiple funding rounds — most notably a $5M Par Equity-led round in October 2023 earmarked for doubling technical staff, a £2.34M Innovate UK award for quantum-enabled navigation in July 2023, and a 2025 growth round led by Par Equity with Scottish Enterprise participation to accelerate international expansion. Leadership transitioned in 2025 with the appointment of Chris Madin as CEO, broadly coincident with the international scaling phase. Total disclosed cumulative funding is approximately $14M+. The company remains privately held and does not disclose revenue or order volumes.
Skylark Lasers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Skylark Lasers
- Legal name
- Skylark Lasers Limited
- Website
- https://skylarklasers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Skylark Lasers is an Edinburgh-based photonics company that designs and manufactures ultra-stable single-frequency CW DPSS lasers at 320/349/780/785nm, serving academic researchers and industrial OEMs in quantum sensing, semiconductor inspection, Raman spectroscopy, and holographic applications globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Skylark Lasers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Single Frequency DPSS Lasers
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM), Quantum Spectroscopy & Chemical/Biological Sensing (HDAGAHAH), Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Skylark Lasers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edinburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Skylark Lasers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Laser Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of DPSS laser systems. Customers submit purchase orders and quotes are provided. Payment terms include 30 days from invoice date, with full payment typically required before delivery. All available models ship within 12 weeks of purchase, average lead time 4-8 weeks.
- Custom/OEM Laser Solutions: Collaborative development of tailored DPSS lasers for specific applications. The company works with customers to develop solutions suited to their requirements, suggesting custom wavelength development for emerging needs in quantum sensing and precision measurement.
- Technical Support Services: Technical support provided via email ([email protected]) and phone for setup guidance and technical issues. FAQ documentation also available. Standard warranty coverage included with purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Skylark Lasers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Skylark Lasers designs and manufactures ultra-stable single frequency CW DPSS (Diode-Pumped Solid-State) lasers in UV (320 nm, 349 nm) and NIR (780 nm, 785 nm) wavelengths. The company sells four core laser models (Skylark 320, 349, 780, 785) along with the NX Micro COTS system for quantum gravity gradiometry, targeting research institutions and OEMs in quantum sensing, semiconductor inspection, Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy, holography, and lithography applications.
Product overview
Skylark Lasers is a designer and manufacturer of ultra-stable single frequency CW DPSS (diode-pumped solid-state) lasers. The product portfolio centres on the Skylark NX Series platform, which includes four core UV and NIR laser products: Skylark 320 (320 nm, up to 200 mW), Skylark 349 (349 nm, up to 400 mW), Skylark 780 (780 nm, up to 400 mW), and Skylark 785 (785 nm, up to 400 mW). The UV lasers (320, 349) serve semiconductor inspection, lithography, holography, optical grating manufacturing, flow cytometry, and Raman spectroscopy applications. The NIR lasers (780, 785) target quantum sensing (Rb D2 transition), Brillouin microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The company also offers the NX Micro COTS laser system for quantum gravity gradiometry. All products are precision engineered under Class 5 cleanroom conditions at headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a global distribution network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Skylark 320 320 nm single frequency CW DPSS laser delivering up to 200 mW of ultraviolet light, designed as a direct replacement for 325 nm HeCd gas lasers in UV Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, optical grating mastering, and semiconductor inspection applications.
- Skylark 349 349 nm single frequency CW DPSS laser delivering up to 400 mW of ultraviolet light, providing the highest UV power available from a DPSS platform for interference lithography, semiconductor inspection, wide bandgap materials characterisation, and UV Raman spectroscopy.
- Skylark 780 780 nm single frequency CW DPSS laser delivering up to 400 mW of near-infrared light, tuned to the rubidium D2 transition for quantum sensing, atom cooling, optical referencing, Raman spectroscopy, and Brillouin microscopy applications.
- Skylark 785 785 nm single frequency CW DPSS laser delivering up to 400 mW of near-infrared light for NIR metrology, microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy applications requiring spectrally pure NIR excitation.
- NX Micro COTS Laser System Portable 4-channel single frequency DPSS laser system with coarse tuning range of 780 to 785 nm and 15 GHz detuning range, designed for quantum gravity gradiometry and rubidium interferometry in quantum-enabled navigation applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% reduction in annual cost of ownership vs gas/ion lasers
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Skylark Lasers
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Skylark Lasers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Skylark Lasers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, growth, strategic, research and regional.
- Axiom OpticscoreNew distribution partnership established October 2025 covering United States and Canada. Axiom Optics has strong reputation for supporting national laboratories, defense programs, and academic research in spectroscopy, sensing, defense, and R&D. Provides technical expertise, procurement support, import logistics, and industry compliance.
- IntralinkgrowthInternational business development consultancy commissioned September 2025 to accelerate Skylark Lasers' expansion in China. Working from Shanghai office, Intralink strengthens current sales pipelines, introduces to new prospects in semiconductor inspection, microscopy, spectroscopy, optical grating manufacturing, and quantum commercialization projects.
- Japan Laser CorporationcoreLong-standing distribution partner in Japan, renewed in October 2025. Founded in 1968, JLC is Japan's oldest and largest laser and optical technology company, serving academic researchers and industrial partners with consultative guidance and reliable solutions across semiconductor inspection, metrology, spectroscopy, and microscopy.
- Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP)strategicLead organization for the QT Assemble project involving 14 organizations addressing challenges of size, weight, power and reliability of quantum systems through development of reliable integrated components and sub-systems.
- Heriot-Watt UniversitystrategicAcademic research partner collaborating on quantum sensor development. Professor Derryck T Reid's team contributing new diode-pumped Ti:sapphire ultrafast laser technology for next generation quantum sensors as part of Innovate UK-funded projects.
- University of Bath - Centre for PhotonicsresearchResearch partnership to test anti-resonant hollow core fiber for high power UV light transmission. Collaboration aims to solve UV damage issues in solid core fibers, with fibers proving extremely resistant to damage with no decrease in transmission over several weeks of operation at over 100mW.
- LaserandregionalDistribution partner covering Canada market, providing local support and technical guidance for Skylark Lasers products.
- Opton LaserregionalDistribution partner covering France market.
- Kimmy PhotonicsregionalDistribution partner covering Finland market.
- OptoprimregionalDistribution partner covering Germany and Italy markets.
- RayVisregionalDistribution partner covering Korea market.
- Te Lintelo SystemsregionalDistribution partner covering Netherlands market.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Skylark Lasers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Menlo Systems: German manufacturer of femtosecond and single-frequency lasers and optical frequency combs targeting quantum sensing, metrology, and spectroscopy. Overlaps with Skylark in quantum-enabling laser sources, particularly rubidium-based systems.
- Oxxius: French manufacturer of compact single-frequency DPSS lasers (LBX, SLIM, DPSS series) at UV, visible, and NIR wavelengths. Direct competitor in Raman spectroscopy, interferometry, and quantum sensing use cases with similar compact form factor.
- M Squared Lasers: Glasgow-based direct competitor also developing single-frequency DPSS and Ti:sapphire lasers for quantum, biophotonics, and sensing applications. Closely comparable in technology platform, customer base (UK academic and quantum), and stage of commercialization.
- Sacher Lasertechnik: German specialist manufacturer of single-frequency DPSS and external-cavity diode lasers for spectroscopy, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Comparable niche focus and wavelength coverage (including UV and NIR rubidium wavelengths).
- Toptica Photonics: German manufacturer of single-frequency diode and DPSS lasers covering UV to NIR wavelengths, with strong quantum technology and spectroscopy focus. Competes head-to-head with Skylark in 780/785nm rubidium D2 and UV spectroscopy applications.
- Sirah Lasertechnik: German manufacturer of pulsed and CW DPSS lasers as well as dye lasers, serving spectroscopy, quantum optics, and laser research. Overlaps with Skylark in DPSS-based spectroscopy and quantum research lasers.
- Hübner Photonics (Cobolt): Sweden/Germany-based manufacturer of single-frequency DPSS lasers (Cobolt 04-01 series, 05-01 series) at UV and visible wavelengths, widely used in Raman spectroscopy, semiconductor inspection, and quantum research. Direct overlap with Skylark NX platform.
Broad incumbents
- NKT Photonics: Danish photonics company offering single-frequency fiber lasers and supercontinuum sources for quantum, biophotonics, and metrology. Larger and broader portfolio but competes in single-frequency laser sources for quantum technology applications.
- Thorlabs: Broad-line US photonics and optics supplier with a growing single-frequency laser portfolio alongside lasers, optics, and instruments. Competes at the OEM and research customer level with bundled procurement advantages.
- Coherent (II-VI/Coherent Corp): Global photonics incumbent with broad portfolio including DPSS, semiconductor, and gas lasers. Much larger scale, but competes in UV DPSS for semiconductor inspection and spectroscopy. Significant pricing and bundling pressure as a broad-line supplier.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Skylark Lasers social profiles
Digital presenceSkylark Lasers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Skylark Lasers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Skylark Lasers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Skylark Lasers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Skylark Lasers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Skylark Lasers
What does Skylark Lasers do?
Skylark Lasers designs and manufactures ultra-stable single frequency CW DPSS (Diode-Pumped Solid-State) lasers in UV (320 nm, 349 nm) and NIR (780 nm, 785 nm) wavelengths. The company sells four core laser models (Skylark 320, 349, 780, 785) along with the NX Micro COTS system for quantum gravity gradiometry, targeting research institutions and OEMs in quantum sensing, semiconductor inspection, Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy, holography, and lithography applications.
Is Skylark Lasers a public or private company?
Skylark Lasers is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Skylark Lasers founded?
Skylark Lasers was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Skylark Lasers based?
Skylark Lasers is headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Skylark Lasers make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Laser Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom/OEM Laser Solutions and technical Support Services.
Who are Skylark Lasers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Menlo Systems, Oxxius, M Squared Lasers, Sacher Lasertechnik, Toptica Photonics, Sirah Lasertechnik and Hübner Photonics (Cobolt). Broad incumbents are NKT Photonics, Thorlabs and Coherent (II-VI/Coherent Corp).
Does Skylark Lasers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Skylark Lasers.
What industry is Skylark Lasers in?
Skylark Lasers's product category is Single Frequency DPSS Lasers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAL, Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL), with a secondary code of HDAGAHAM, Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3827.