Single Quantum
Single Quantum is a Delft-based deeptech company founded in 2012 that manufactures superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) serving 400+ academic, telecom, space, and healthcare labs worldwide, including CERN, ESA, and Toshiba Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersDelft, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Single Quantum does
Single Quantum is a Delft, Netherlands-based nanotechnology company founded in 2012 that designs, manufactures, and sells superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). The detectors operate by transitioning a nanowire from a superconducting to a resistive state upon absorption of a single photon, packaged with optical fiber pigtails in closed-cycle cryostats operating at 2.5 Kelvin. The company sells four product lines — Excellence Line (Eos, Eos R12, Eos R48 systems for research), TeleQKD Line (rack-mountable detectors for industrial Quantum Key Distribution at 1550 nm), Imaging Line (Eos Vision multipixel systems for bioimaging), and the Iris X SNSPD Camera (free-space array up to 100 pixels for space and bio applications) — along with add-on modules for gating, jitter stabilization, and TTL conversion. Performance specifications include over 90% detection efficiency, sub-15 ps timing jitter, photon number resolution up to 7 photons, and scalability to 48 channels in a 5U rack form factor.
The business model is primarily hardware sale of SNSPD systems with complementary customization, engineering, and after-sales maintenance services for cold heads and compressors. Pricing is quote-based on configuration with multi-year contracts, sold through a direct sales team based in the Netherlands, Germany (Stuttgart), the United States (San Francisco), and China (Shenzhen), supplemented by distributors in Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Customers span 400+ academic and industrial labs worldwide, including CERN, the European Space Agency (NASA Psyche mission), Toshiba Europe, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, University of Vienna, TU Berlin, TU Dresden, EMBL, and others. R&D is partially supported by multiple EU Horizon Europe grants (BrainIAQs, SuperMaMa, aCryComm, FastGhost, MicroQuaD, OnChips, MDI-QUEEN, FastMOT, RESPITE, Qurope). The company employs 70+ people from 25 nationalities and has no disclosed external venture or private equity funding.
Single Quantum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Single Quantum
- Legal name
- Single Quantum
- Website
- https://singlequantum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Single Quantum is a Delft-based deeptech company founded in 2012 that manufactures superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) serving 400+ academic, telecom, space, and healthcare labs worldwide, including CERN, ESA, and Toshiba Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Single Quantum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Quantum Photonic Detectors
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Readout Electronics (Amplifiers, Digitizers, Parametric Amplifiers) (HDAGABAH), Low-Noise & Cryogenic Amplification (HEMT/LNA) (HDAGABAI), Calibration, Characterization & Test Instrumentation (Cryo/RF) (HDAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Single Quantum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Delft
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Single Quantum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SNSPD Hardware Systems: Sale of superconducting nanowire single photon detector systems including Eos, Eos R12, Eos R48, and Iris X products. Systems are sold with various channel configurations and specifications to meet customer requirements.
- Customization and Engineering Services: Customized SNSPD solutions for scientists requiring specific configurations. Engineers assist in defining system specifications tailored to customer needs.
- After-Sales Support and Maintenance: Technical service and support including maintenance of cold head (required after 10,000-15,000 hours) and compressor (required after 30,000 hours).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Single Quantum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Single Quantum designs, manufactures, and sells superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) systems and accessories for research labs, quantum communication operators, space agencies, defense organizations, and biomedical imaging groups. Core offerings include the multi-channel Eos cryostat platform (Eos, Eos R12, Eos R48), the Iris X SNSPD camera with up to 100-pixel free-space arrays, dedicated product lines (Excellence, TeleQKD, Imaging), and stackable add-on modules (Switch 1200 gating, Pulse 1200 jitter stabilization, TTL converter). The company complements hardware sales with custom engineering, configuration services, and recurring maintenance contracts for closed-cycle cryostats.
Product overview
Single Quantum develops superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) organized into four product lines: Excellence Line for customized high-performance applications, TeleQKD Line for industrial quantum key distribution at 1550nm, Imaging Line for biological microscopy and SWIR imaging, and Iris X SNSPD Camera for space-based quantum communication and deep-space exploration. The portfolio includes multiple cryostat platforms (Eos, Eos R12, Eos R48) with varying channel capacities from single-pixel to 48 channels, plus add-on modules including gating (Switch 1200), jitter stabilization (Pulse 1200), and TTL conversion. The technology enables over 90% detection efficiency and sub-15ps timing jitter, supporting applications in quantum communication, cryptography, infrared spectroscopy, laser ranging, and bioimaging.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Single Quantum Eos: Flagship multi-channel SNSPD system providing comprehensive measurement solutions with 8 or 24 channel closed-cycle cryostats
- Single Quantum Eos R12
- Single Quantum Eos R48
- Iris X
- Eos Vision
- Excellence Line
- TeleQKD Line
- Imaging Line
- Retina
- Switch 1200
- Pulse 1200
Products and services
- Excellence Line Customized SNSPD systems for scientists who need maximum performance, including the Eos, Eos R12, and Eos R48 multi-channel cryostat platforms with single-pixel and multipixel detector options for research applications.
- Single Quantum Eos Flagship closed-cycle cryostat SNSPD system available in 8 or 24 channel configurations, with dedicated electronic driver and helium compressor, designed as the foundational platform for the Excellence Line detectors.
- Eos R12 SNSPD System Compact rack-mountable SNSPD system with up to 12 detection channels in 3U height, including Retina driver electronics; upgraded version with integrated vacuum pump offers fully automatic cooldown and remote system control in a compact 5U total form factor.
- Eos R48 Multi-channel SNSPD System New rack-mountable multi-channel SNSPD system with up to 48 detection channels in 5U height, combining scalability, efficiency, and industrial-grade performance for large-scale single photon detection deployments.
- TeleQKD Line Single photon detectors optimized for industrial Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems at 1550 nm telecom wavelength, featuring rack-mountable cryostats, compact electronic drivers, and high secret key rates for secure quantum networks.
- Imaging Line Multipixel SNSPD systems optimized for high-sensitivity imaging applications including confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, and SWIR imaging, including the Eos Vision confocal microscopy solution for imaging across VIS, NIR, and SWIR wavelengths.
- Iris X SNSPD Camera First commercial SNSPD camera with large detection area and free-space optical coupling, high efficiency, low noise, and up to 100 pixel SNSPD array hosting, used for bioimaging, space QKD, and deep-space optical communication applications.
- Switch 1200 Gating Module Fast-gating module add-on providing full detection efficiency restoration within nanoseconds with a 20 ns gate window, in a 2U rack-mountable form factor for fluorescence spectroscopy, single-photon LiDAR, quantum communication, and microscopy.
- Pulse 1200 Jitter Stabilizer Modular jitter stabilizer add-on delivering ultra-low jitter measurements under 20 ps at count rates of 30 MCPS, optimized for time-correlated single-photon counting, QKD, and fluorescence lifetime imaging applications.
- TTL Converter Add-on Versatile add-on module translating SNSPD output into standard digital TTL signals for seamless integration with various electronic systems in quantum communication and LIDAR applications.
- Sumitomo CNA-11 RC Helium Compressor 19-inch rack-mountable helium compressor in 9U form factor, compatible with Eos, Eos R12, and Iris X SNSPD systems, providing closed-cycle cryogenic operation without liquid helium consumption.
- Customized SNSPD Engineering Services Professional services delivering customized SNSPD solutions where engineers assist scientists in defining system specifications tailored to specific application requirements and configurations.
- After-Sales Support and Maintenance Recurring technical service and support program covering cold head maintenance (required after 10,000–15,000 hours) and helium compressor service (required after 30,000 hours) for installed SNSPD systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80-fold increase in coincidence rates compared to traditional SPADs in entanglement-based QKD protocols (AIT study)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Single Quantum
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Single Quantum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Single Quantum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- CERN Quantum Technology InitiativeflagshipCollaboration with CERN QTI for quantum networking experiments at newly inaugurated quantum lab. Single Quantum detectors integrated with White Rabbit time-synchronization technology achieving sub-nanosecond alignment of distant nodes.
- AegiqcoreLeading the SuperSoC (Superconducting Detector System on Chip) project - a bilateral UK-Netherlands initiative funded via Innovate UK and Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Project aims to develop miniaturized photonic integrated circuits for distributed quantum data centers.
- Fraunhofer Centre for Applied PhotonicscorePartner in SuperSoC project for developing compact, high-performance photonic chips for quantum signal generation and detection.
- MicroAligncorePartner in SuperSoC project contributing to low-loss communication between quantum systems over long distances.
- Toshiba EuropeflagshipCollaboration to test and validate long-distance QKD technology. Extended QKD transmission range to over 300km using Single Quantum SNSPDs with Toshiba's QKD technology.
- Q*BirdcoreConsortium partner for MDI-QKD deployment. Supported the longest single-fiber MDI-QKD deployment and helped establish key connection hub in Port of Rotterdam as part of world's first scalable quantum internet.
- QunnectcorePartnership for detector integration. Qunnect is a leader in quantum internet infrastructure deploying GothamQ metropolitan quantum network in NYC. Single Quantum provides detector integration for Qunnect's quantum memory products.
- EurofibercoreTechnology partner in QUEST project (€1M subsidy) to enable Quantum Key Distribution across Eurofiber's main datacenters in Randstad region of Netherlands. Project connects quantum communication networks in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
- Port of Rotterdam AuthoritycoreWorld's first scalable quantum internet connection in port of Rotterdam, enabling quantum technology for enhanced security in port operations.
- CiscocorePartner in Rotterdam quantum internet project contributing to interoperability development for quantum networks.
- PicoQuantcoreCollaboration to develop Eos Vision - innovative confocal microscope solution combining Single Quantum detection technology with PicoQuant's microscope for high-quality NIR/SWIR fluorescence imaging.
- European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipESA/NASA Joint Technology Demonstration providing SNSPD array for ground laser receiver in Greece for Psyche mission deep space optical communication at 265 million kilometers distance.
- Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbHcorePartner in ESA/NASA Psyche mission for laser communication demonstration.
- General Atomics Synopta GmbHcorePartner in ESA/NASA Psyche mission for optical communication systems.
- Quantum Space Systems GmbHcorePartner in ESA/NASA Psyche mission for space communication technology.
- ICON PhotonicscorePartner in QuPhlex Eurostar3 project (nr. 3979) developing universal integration technology for optical cryogenic detectors.
- ThinkQuantumcorePartner in QuPhlex project for highly integrated packaged SNSPD detectors for quantum applications.
- NCT National Center for Tumor DiseasescorePartner in PoQuS project developing portable quantum sensor for image-guided cancer surgery.
- Technische Universität DresdencorePartner in PoQuS project for quantum sensor development for neurosurgery.
- Absolut SystemcorePartner in PoQuS project for advanced fluorescence imaging quantum sensor technology.
- National Quantum Computing CentrecoreConsortium partner for aerodynamic simulation work with Aegiq and NVIDIA.
- NVIDIAcoreConsortium partner with Aegiq for aerodynamic simulation work.
- BAE SystemscoreConsortium partner with Aegiq for aerospace modeling and defense collaboration.
- MBDAcoreEuropean defense consortium partner for aerospace modeling collaboration.
- Various European Research InstitutionscoreFirst intercity QKD experiment using deterministic semiconductor single-photon source transmitted over 79km deployed fiber between Hannover and Braunschweig, Germany, achieving record-high secret key bits per pulse.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Single Quantum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ID Quantique: Swiss pioneer and primary direct competitor in commercial superconducting single-photon detectors and QKD systems. Competes head-to-head in QKD deployments and sells competing SNSPD hardware to similar academic and telecom customers.
- Photon Spot: US-based manufacturer of SNSPDs and cryogenic systems targeting quantum communication, computing, and imaging. Closest comparable SNSPD-only specialist serving overlapping research and QKD customer segments.
- Scontel: Russian developer of SNSPD systems and readout electronics for quantum optics and QKD. Competes on the same superconducting nanowire detector technology used by academic and government research customers globally.
Emerging players
- S-Fifteen Instruments: Singapore-based SNSPD maker focused on QKD and quantum sensing applications. Comparable emerging specialist serving Asia-Pacific quantum research customers with overlapping detector products.
- MPD (Micro Photon Devices): Italian supplier of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and timing electronics for quantum optics. Competes with SNSPDs in applications where SPAD performance is sufficient, such as some QKD and biophotonics use cases.
- AOSense: US developer of atomic sensors and quantum components for navigation, timing, and gravity sensing. Comparable emerging quantum-hardware specialist serving adjacent defense/aerospace and quantum-tech customers.
Broad incumbents
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Large Japanese photonics manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of single-photon and photomultiplier detectors used across quantum, life-science, and industrial markets. Represents the broad incumbent threat that could expand into SNSPDs if the market scales.
- Excelitas Technologies: Global photonics and detector manufacturer (formerly part of PerkinElmer) supplying single-photon counting modules, APDs, and cryogenic detectors. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities for quantum and life-science customers.
- Thorlabs: US-based broad photonics and quantum optics components supplier, including single-photon detectors and cryostat systems. Large incumbent that could bundle competing detector offerings into quantum research and OEM customer stacks.
Others
- Quantum Design: US distributor of single-photon detectors (including SNSPDs) and cryogenic systems for quantum research, and an active distributor partner for Single Quantum in some geographies. Adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than a direct OEM competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Single Quantum social profiles
Digital presenceSingle Quantum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Single Quantum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Single Quantum subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Single Quantum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Single Quantum 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 Single Quantum
What does Single Quantum do?
Single Quantum designs, manufactures, and sells superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) systems and accessories for research labs, quantum communication operators, space agencies, defense organizations, and biomedical imaging groups. Core offerings include the multi-channel Eos cryostat platform (Eos, Eos R12, Eos R48), the Iris X SNSPD camera with up to 100-pixel free-space arrays, dedicated product lines (Excellence, TeleQKD, Imaging), and stackable add-on modules (Switch 1200 gating, Pulse 1200 jitter stabilization, TTL converter). The company complements hardware sales with custom engineering, configuration services, and recurring maintenance contracts for closed-cycle cryostats.
Is Single Quantum a public or private company?
Single Quantum is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Single Quantum founded?
Single Quantum was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Single Quantum based?
Single Quantum is headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Single Quantum make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SNSPD Hardware Systems are the primary driver. The others are customization and Engineering Services and after-Sales Support and Maintenance.
Who are Single Quantum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ID Quantique, Photon Spot and Scontel. Emerging players are S-Fifteen Instruments, MPD (Micro Photon Devices) and AOSense. Broad incumbents are Hamamatsu Photonics, Excelitas Technologies and Thorlabs. Quantum Design is listed as an others.
Does Single Quantum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Single Quantum.
What industry is Single Quantum in?
Single Quantum's product category is Quantum Photonic Detectors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAHAM, Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS), with a secondary code of HDAGABAH, Readout Electronics (Amplifiers, Digitizers, Parametric Amplifiers). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3826.