Amsterdam Scientific Instruments

What Amsterdam Scientific Instruments does

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments B.V. (ASI) is a privately held Dutch company founded in 2011 that designs and manufactures customized hybrid pixel detector systems for scientific research. The company's core technology is built on CERN-developed Medipix-3 and Timepix-1/2/3 chips bump-bonded to sensor materials (silicon, GaAs, CdTe) and read out via proprietary SPIDR electronics and a full software stack (Serval REST API, Accos GUI, Luna processing suite). Its three primary product lines are the Chronos Series (photon and electron detectors for quantum science, neutron science, and VMI/mass spectrometry), the CheeTah Series (detectors for transmission electron microscopy), and the emerging Timepix4 line.

ASI sells primarily to academic and government research institutions worldwide, including CERN, SLAC, Brookhaven National Laboratory, DESY, Stockholm University, Princeton, and Biozentrum. Revenue derives from one-time hardware sales of customized detectors (Phoebe starts at €172,388), bundled software licenses, rental options, and consulting/custom integration services. Distribution is sales-led and direct, supported by scientific publications, conference presence (e.g., VMI User Meeting 2024), and a community forum. The company operates from Amsterdam Science Park and is led by CEO Thorbjoern Schoenbeck alongside the three original founders and serial entrepreneurs Hans Brouwer and Steven Tan, who joined in 2017.

Name

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments

Legal name

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments B.V.

Website

https://amscins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments designs and manufactures customized hybrid pixel detectors based on CERN Medipix/Timepix technology for research institutions, universities, and government labs in TEM, quantum, neutron, and VMI applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Hybrid Pixel Detectors

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO), Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)

Keywords

• Hybrid pixel detectors
• Scientific detector solutions
• Single photon detection
• Electron microscopy detectors
• Neutron imaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Customized Detector Hardware Sales: ASI designs and manufactures highly advanced, customized detector solutions for researchers. Products include CheeTah series (electron detectors for TEM), Chronos series (photon/electron detectors), Phoebe, Telesto, Hyperion, and Luna software. Detectors are tailored to specific experiments and applications, suggesting a project-based/custom hardware sales model with long sales cycles targeting research institutions.
2. Software Licenses and Post-Processing Tools: Luna post-processing suite, Serval API, and Accos GUI are offered as part of the detector ecosystem. Software is bundled with hardware purchases and likely available separately for existing customers.
3. Consulting and Custom Integration Services: ASI offers custom detector configurations, integration support, and experiment-specific adaptations in hardware and software. The company emphasizes collaborative development with customers to create novel detection concepts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments designs and manufactures highly advanced, customized hybrid pixel detector solutions for scientific research. Its portfolio covers detectors for electrons, photons, X-rays, neutrons, and ions, built on CERN-licensed Medipix-3 and Timepix/Timepix-3 chips bump-bonded to Si, GaAs, or CdTe sensors and read out via proprietary SPIDR electronics. Core product families include the Chronos Series (photon/neutron/ion imaging), CheeTah Series (TEM electron detectors), Timepix4, and the LumaCam neutron imaging system, supported by Luna post-processing software, Serval API, and Accos GUI.

Product overview

Amsterdam Scientific Instruments (ASI) designs and manufactures highly advanced hybrid pixel detector solutions for scientific research. The company offers three main product lines: Chronos Series (Timepix3-based photon/electron detectors for quantum science, neutron science, and VMI/mass spectrometry), CheeTah Series (Medipix3/Timepix3 detectors for transmission electron microscopy), and Timepix4 (large area pixel detectors). Key products include Phoebe (single-photon TPX3CAM for quantum photonics), Telesto (neutron TPX3CAM), Hyperion (ion imaging TPX3CAM for VMI), Rhea (QEC imaging for ion/atom traps), and LumaCam (neutron imaging system with LoskoVision). Supporting software includes Luna (Timepix processing suite), Serval (REST API for detector control), and Accos (GUI for detector management). All technologies are based on CERN Medipix-3 and Timepix-1/2/3 hybrid pixel detector chips, bump-bonded to various sensor materials (Si, GaAs, CdTe) for different radiation types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CheeTah: Advanced hybrid pixel detectors for transmission electron microscopy applications, available in T3 Quad, Ultra, and M3 Mega configurations.
• Chronos Series
• TPX3CAM
• Phoebe
• Rhea
• Telesto
• Hyperion
• LumaCam
• Luna
• LynX

Products and services

• Chronos Series Chronos Series: Timepix3-based photon and electron detector systems with 1.56 ns temporal resolution, event-based data-driven detection, noise-free room-temperature operation, and REST API-based control software. Used across quantum science, neutron science, and VMI/mass spectrometry applications.
• CheeTah Series CheeTah Series: Advanced hybrid pixel detectors for transmission electron microscopy with Medipix-3 and Timepix-3 technology, single electron sensitivity, high speed, and noise-free data acquisition. Compatible with TEM systems from ThermoFisher, JEOL, Hitachi, and Zeiss.
• Timepix4
• Luna Luna: Timepix processing suite for converting and processing Timepix data. Features comprehensive data conversion to HDF5 format, advanced clustering algorithms, optional timewalk correction, multi-OS compatibility (Ubuntu, Windows 11, macOS), and near real-time data analysis capability.
• Phoebe Phoebe: Single-photon TPX3CAM hybrid pixel detector with 1.56 ns time-stamping granularity, sophisticated on-chip electronics for real-time signal processing, noise-free data acquisition, and TDC synchronization with 260 ps resolution. Designed for quantum photonics researchers.
• Telesto Telesto: Neutron TPX3CAM with Timepix-3 technology offering 1.56 ns time resolution in dual operating modes, scintillator-based detection concept, motorized field of view adjustments, and EMPIR event-mode imaging software. Available in Single (1 Megapixel) and Quad (4 Megapixel) configurations.
• Hyperion Hyperion: Ion imaging TPX3CAM for high resolution real-time ion imaging with ultra-high Signal-to-Noise Ratio. Capable of 80 Mhits/s readout per chip with zero dead-time, atmospheric pressure operation, 1.56 ns time resolution, and 260 ps TDC timestamping. Used in VMI experiments.
• Rhea Rhea: Ultrafast-feedback quantum error correction (QEC) imaging system suitable for ion and atom traps, based on the TPX3CAM optical detector platform.
• LumaCam LumaCam: Versatile neutron imaging system developed in collaboration with LoskoVision, combining ASI's Chronos Telesto detector with highly neutron-sensitive scintillators. Provides high-resolution time-resolved neutron imaging with spatial resolution beyond traditional scintillator/CMOS camera systems, gamma background suppression, and 1.56 ns time resolution.
• Serval Serval: Detector control and acquisition software providing a REST-based API over TCP/IP, a comprehensive detector emulator program for testing and integration, full API documentation with example code, and specialized capabilities for both Medipix3 and Timepix3 detectors.
• Accos Accos: Standalone detector control GUI with modernized interface, cross-platform support, and streamlined operations replacing legacy SoPhy and Dexter systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Data collection time shortened from hours to minutes for electron diffraction applications
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DESY (Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DESY co-hosts the inaugural VMI User Meeting 2024 with ASI in Hamburg. The event is designed to establish a dynamic TPX3CAM user community and advance VMI technology. DESY is a major European research facility for photon science and particle physics.
• LoskoVision GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ASI collaborates with LoskoVision GmbH (established 2021, inventor Dr. Adrian Losko) to create the LumaCam, a versatile neutron imaging system. LoskoVision provides the event-based neutron imaging method using ASI's Chronos Telesto detector in combination with neutron-sensitive scintillators. The LumaCam provides high-resolution time-resolved neutron imaging suitable for a wide neutron energy range from cold to fast, achieving spatial resolution far beyond traditional scintillator/CMOS camera systems.
• Andrei Nomerotski (Brookhaven National Laboratory)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Andrei Nomerotski from Brookhaven National Laboratory suggested the TPX3CAM optical detector concept and has been instrumental in its scientific applications in quantum science, VMI, and single-photon detection. He continues as an active collaborator and contributor to the ASI community forum.
• Nikhef (National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Netherlands)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Nikhef collaborated with ASI to develop the Timepix3 pixel readout technology used in ASI's detectors. The pixel readout was developed in collaboration with Nikhef in Amsterdam. Early ASI operations were based at Nikhef facilities sharing resources with the Nikhef development group.
• PhotoniscoreTechnology or IntegrationPhotonis supplies the Cricket² image intensifier for ASI's Phoebe quantum science detector. The Cricket² is specially optimised for ultra-fast single-photon detection with high efficiency Dual MCP and P47 phosphor screen. ASI integrates Photonis intensifiers into their Chronos Quantum Science detector configurations.
• VelocitasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASI collaborates with Velocitas to provide complete VMI (Velocity Map Imaging) spectrometer setups. Velocitas provides the spectrometer hardware while ASI provides the Hyperion ion imaging TPX3CAM detector, enabling customers to build complete VMI setups from a single source.
• Peter Švihra (CERN)coreTechnology or IntegrationDr. Peter Švihra, Senior Fellow at CERN, collaborated with ASI to develop the LUNA data analysis software toolkit. His expertise in Timepix3 technology and quantum science helps make Phoebe user-friendly. He is deeply involved in R&D for LHCb VELO Upgrade 2 using ASI technology.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dectris: Swiss pioneer of hybrid pixel X-ray detectors (PILATUS, EIGER, MYTHEN) serving synchrotron, laboratory X-ray, and electron microscopy customers. Operates in the same hybrid pixel detector ecosystem with comparable CERN-derived chip access and directly competes for synchrotron and lab X-ray detector budgets.
• Quantum Detectors: UK-based detector company spun out of STFC/Rutherford Appleton Laboratory that develops Timepix3-based readout electronics and detector systems. Closest direct competitor to ASI's Timepix3 platform, particularly for synchrotron, XFEL, and neutron applications.
• X-Spectrum: German specialist in Medipix/Timepix-based X-ray detectors for synchrotron, FEL, and laboratory applications. Directly competes with ASI's LynX and Chronos product lines in photon/X-ray detection for advanced light source customers.
• Gatan (AMETEK): TEM camera and detector manufacturer (now part of AMETEK) producing electron microscopy detectors including direct detection cameras. Directly competes with ASI's CheeTah series for transmission electron microscopy customers.
• Direct Electron: US-based TEM direct detection camera maker competing in the same electron microscopy detector segment as ASI's CheeTah series, particularly for cryo-EM and materials science applications.
• PNDetector: German specialist in radiation detectors and readout electronics for particle physics experiments and synchrotron applications. Overlaps with ASI in radiation detection technology and competes for similar physics research customers.

Broad incumbents

• Bruker AXS: Large analytical instruments company with broad X-ray diffraction, crystallography, and detection product portfolio. Overlaps with ASI in X-ray detection for materials science and structural biology but offers a much wider, bundled instrument portfolio.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest TEM systems vendor globally, with bundled detector offerings (e.g., Ceta camera) and the installed base of Thermo Fisher TEMs that ASI's CheeTah series integrates with. Acts as both an indirect competitor and a strategic ecosystem partner.
• Rigaku: Japanese analytical instrument maker with X-ray and electron detection products serving materials science and structural biology customers. Overlaps with ASI in X-ray and electron detection but operates across a broader analytical instrument portfolio.

Others

• Photonis: Image intensifier manufacturer and ASI supplier (Cricket² intensifier integrated into Phoebe). Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor; key enabling technology provider for ASI's quantum science product line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam Scientific Instruments