What XRnanotech does

XRnanotech AG is a privately held Swiss nanotechnology company founded in 2020 as a spin-off of the Paul Scherrer Institut, headquartered at Park Innovaare in Villigen adjacent to PSI's synchrotron, free-electron laser, and neutron source facilities. The company designs and manufactures nanostructured X-ray optics and precision optical components, including Fresnel zone plates, gratings and beam splitters, diamond optics, achromatic X-ray lenses, compound refractive lenses, resolution targets, and 3D nanostructures, using electron beam lithography, direct laser writing, two-photon polymerization, X-ray LIGA, deep reactive ion etching, atomic layer deposition, and electroplating in a 1,000-2,000 m² ISO 4 cleanroom (PICO) equipped with over CHF 80 million of instrumentation. It holds world records for X-ray optical precision, including a 7nm smallest feature size and a 5nm X-ray beam focus enabled by its proprietary iridium line-doubling technique, plus high aspect-ratio nanostructures up to 200:1 and diamond optics engineered to withstand free-electron laser radiation intensities.

The company operates a sales-led B2B model with direct technical consultation, selling standard components priced from CHF 1,500 to over CHF 6,000 alongside custom design and foundry fabrication services starting at CHF 1,500, with 6-8 week made-to-order lead times. It serves a primary customer base of research institutions and synchrotron/FEL facilities (including named reference customers at Synchrotron SOLEIL), with secondary verticals spanning medical imaging, semiconductor metrology, space and aerospace (via ESA BIC membership), and Swiss horology. Distribution is direct from Switzerland with a sales representative in Japan and an exclusive distributor in China, and the October 2024 acquisition of Microworks GmbH added TALINT Phase Contrast and Dark-Field X-ray imaging systems to the portfolio. Revenue is project-based with no recurring subscription model. Ownership is concentrated with founder/CEO Dr. Florian Döring and a ~20% strategic shareholder, Insam Familienstiftung; financing to date has come predominantly from non-dilutive Swiss grants and innovation awards rather than institutional venture rounds.

Name

XRnanotech

Legal name

XRnanotech AG

Website

https://xrnanotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

XRnanotech is a Swiss nanofabrication company, spun out of the Paul Scherrer Institut in 2020, that designs and manufactures world-record nanostructured X-ray optics (Fresnel zone plates, diamond optics, gratings, lenses) and offers foundry fabrication services to synchrotron, free-electron laser, semiconductor, medical imaging, and photonics customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nanofabricated X-ray Optics

NAICS

Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic / Photonics Foundries (Silicon Photonics/LED/Laser) (HDAHACAG), Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)

Keywords

• X-ray optics
• Nanofabrication services
• Diffractive optical elements
• Precision nanostructures
• Diamond optics

Headquarters

HQ city

Untersiggenthal

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. X-ray Optics and Nanostructures Sales: Direct sales of precision optical components and nanostructures including Fresnel zone plates, gratings, diamond optics, achromatic lenses, resolution targets, and custom designs. Products are manufactured to order with typical lead time of 6-8 weeks.
2. Fabrication Services and Foundry: Comprehensive cleanroom fabrication services including lithography, etching, deposition, and plating. End-to-end support from design to device with wafer-scale processing capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

XRnanotech manufactures and sells nanostructured X-ray optics and precision optical components — including Fresnel zone plates, diffractive gratings, diamond optics, refractive and achromatic X-ray lenses, resolution targets, and custom-designed micro/nanostructures — using proprietary nanofabrication processes developed at the Paul Scherrer Institut. The company also offers custom design and foundry/fabrication services in a 2000 m² ISO 4 cleanroom to research institutions, synchrotrons, free-electron laser facilities, semiconductor manufacturers, medical imaging developers, aerospace customers, and watchmakers worldwide.

Product overview

XRnanotech is a Swiss nanotechnology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of nanostructures and precision optical components for X-ray, EUV, and photonics applications. The product portfolio centers on high-resolution Fresnel Zone Plates, X-ray Gratings and Beam Splitters, Diamond Optics, X-ray Lenses, and Achromatic X-ray Lenses as core offerings. Following the October 2024 acquisition of Microworks GmbH, the portfolio expanded to include the TALINT System and Microworks X-ray lenses. Additional products include Resolution Targets, Micro CT Test Targets, Phase Contrast Imaging components, Hartmann Wavefront Sensors, 3D Nanostructures, Nanophotonics and Foundry Services, Blazed Gratings and Greyscale Structures, Membranes, Beamline Supplies, Neutron Optics, Watchparts, Metalenses, Micro-Spectrometers, Precision Slits/Apertures/Beamstops, Filters, and Micro Mirror Arrays. The company also provides Fabrication Services for custom nanophotonics and precision optics solutions. Products are manufactured in their state-of-the-art cleanroom facility using electron beam lithography, direct laser writing, two-photon polymerization, X-ray LIGA, etching, and deposition processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Microworks: Brand retained after acquisition - specializing in X-ray lenses, beamstops, gratings, interferometers, and TALINT series for Talbot-Lau and edge illumination imaging
• PICO

Products and services

• Fresnel Zone Plates High aspect-ratio, high-resolution Fresnel zone plates for X-ray focusing, featuring world-record 7 nm achievable resolution using the iridium line-doubling technique; sold to synchrotron scientists and FEL researchers.
• X-ray Gratings and Beam Splitters Diffractive gratings and beam splitters on thin membranes for beam splitting, interferometry, and phase contrast imaging, with layout sizes from 60 × 20 mm² to 160 × 90 mm²; targeted at synchrotron and FEL beamline scientists.
• Diamond Optics Diamond zone plates, beam splitters, custom diamond gratings, and resolution test targets designed for FEL high-heat-load applications; offers unmatched thermal management and radiation resistance for extreme X-ray environments.
• X-ray Lenses (CRLs, Zoom Lenses, XPLs) Refractive X-ray lenses — compound refractive lenses (CRLs), zoom lenses, and X-ray prism lenses (XPLs) — made of epoxy polymer using X-ray LIGA for photon energies from 6 keV to over 100 keV; sold to synchrotron and laboratory X-ray users.
• Achromatic X-ray Lenses 3D nano-printed lens arrays combining diffractive and refractive optics to minimize chromatic aberration across a wide photon energy range; designed for high-resolution X-ray imaging.
• Custom Design Optics Customized optics — multifocus off-axis zone plates, spiral zone plates, compound refractive lenses, and uniquely structured gratings — designed for specialized applications at synchrotrons and XFELs.
• Micro CT Test Targets Precision test patterns for micro-CT applications with feature sizes as small as 10 nm and aspect ratios exceeding 30:1, fabricated with electron-beam lithography for instrument calibration and validation.
• Resolution Targets Quality control and machine performance verification devices — YXLON, NanoXSpot, USAF 1951, and custom Siemens stars — featuring capabilities down to 10 nm; sold to imaging system manufacturers and metrology labs.
• Phase Contrast Imaging Systems Full-field transmission X-ray microscopy optical systems — harmonized condensers, Fresnel zone plates, and Zernike phase rings — for high-resolution and phase-contrast imaging.
• Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Plates High-resolution wavefront sensors with 2D arrays of holes etched in Si, Au, W and other materials for optical-system performance measurement and aberration correction.
• 3D Nanostructures Custom 3D-printed nanostructures — phase corrector plates, kinoform lenses, and resolution test targets — fabricated via Nanoscribe two-photon polymerization.
• Nanophotonics and Foundry Services Foundry service offering advanced nanophotonics fabrication — microlenses, gratings, integrated photonic circuits, and waveguides — via grayscale laser writing and electron-beam lithography.
• Blazed Gratings and Greyscale Structures Precision optical elements with continuous slanted zones — blazed gratings and greyscale structures — for diffraction, high-security features, visual effects, microlenses, and photonic devices.
• Silicon Nitride Membranes Low-stress silicon nitride membranes in thicknesses from 50 nm to 2000 nm and frame sizes from 3 to 20 mm, optimized for X-ray, photonics, and nanoscale research; available from ~CHF 6.60 per piece.
• Beamline Supplies, Apertures and Central Stops Precision-engineered beamline components — pinholes, apertures, central stops, and custom beam-shaping elements — for X-ray optical systems.
• Neutron Optics Micro- and nanostructured neutron optics — Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs), Compound Refractive Lenses (CRLs), and precision gratings — for neutron scattering, imaging, and tomography applications.
• Watchparts / Nanofabricated Horology Components High-performance nanofabricated components for horology — custom microgears, bearings, springs, and aesthetic elements with nanometer-level accuracy.
• TALINT System (Acquired from Microworks) Three-imaging-mode system — Absorption, Phase-Contrast, and Dark-Field Contrast — for Talbot-Lau and edge illumination X-ray imaging, acquired from Microworks GmbH.
• Metalenses Nanostructured meta-optical components (metalenses) for precise wavefront control and efficient light focusing across VIS to SWIR wavelengths, manufactured via high-resolution nanofabrication.
• Micro-Spectrometer Gratings High-precision gratings — sub-0.2 µm pitch with heights above 350 µm — fabricated via electron-beam lithography and deep X-ray LIGA for micro-spectrometers used in medical diagnostics, industrial process control, and security.
• Precision Slits, Apertures and Beamstops High-precision slits, apertures, beamstops, and coded (MURA) apertures for accurate beam definition and stray-light suppression.
• Ultrahigh-Precision X-ray Filters Ultra-precise X-ray filters with sub-micron web widths, thin free-standing membranes, and high open-area ratios for beam conditioning, spectral filtering, and high-resolution imaging.
• Micro Mirror Arrays Microstructured mirror arrays based on precision polymer patterns fabricated by two-photon polymerization or grayscale direct laser writing, used for advanced beam shaping and wavefront control.
• Fabrication Services End-to-end paid fabrication services — optical design, simulation, rapid prototyping, process development, and scalable production — in the company's 2000 m² ISO 4 cleanroom (PICO), starting at ~CHF 1,500 per custom job.

Quantifiable outcome

• World record 5nm X-ray beam focus using iridium line-doubling technique
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Microworks GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2024Karlsruhe-based company acquired in October 2024 to strengthen expertise in lithography processes and electroplating. Microworks specializes in non-destructive testing and quality control using X-rays, bringing expertise in X-ray lenses, beamstops, gratings, interferometers, and TALINT series technology.
• Beijing Top-Unistar Science & Technology Co., LTDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor in China handling sales, quotes, offers, and customer support for the Chinese market. Located in Beijing's Hai-Dian District with contact options via phone, WeChat, and email.
• Kiyoshi Tabata (XRnanotech Japan Sales Representative)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative based in Japan managing customer relationships and sales inquiries for the Japanese market.
• Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrigin institution and ongoing collaborator. XRnanotech is a spin-off from PSI with 10+ years of R&D. Located adjacent to PSI facilities including SLS, Swiss-FEL, SINQ, and CPT. Multiple joint publications and shared research programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heidelberg Instruments: Heidelberg Instruments manufactures direct-write lithography systems (electron beam, laser, two-photon) used in nanofabrication — the same process technology stack XRnanotech employs. Highly comparable as both a tool vendor and a service provider to nanophotonics/X-ray optics customers.
• Raith Nanofabrication: Raith is the manufacturer of the EBPG 5000Plus electron beam lithography system XRnanotech operates. As a nanofabrication equipment vendor and provider of related process solutions, Raith serves the same photonics, X-ray optics, and quantum-device customer base.
• Sydor Technologies: Sydor Technologies provides X-ray imaging detectors, optics, and beamline instrumentation to synchrotron and FEL facilities worldwide. Highly comparable as a supplier of specialized X-ray optical and detection components to the same research customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Carl Zeiss: Carl Zeiss is a global leader in precision optics, lithography optics for semiconductor manufacturing, and X-ray microscopy components. While much larger and broader, Zeiss competes in adjacent optical-component categories for synchrotron and semiconductor metrology customers.
• Thorlabs: Thorlabs supplies a broad catalog of photonics, optomechanics, and imaging components to research and industrial customers worldwide — directly overlapping with XRnanotech's standard product sales (lenses, gratings, apertures, resolution targets).
• Edmund Optics: Edmund Optics is a large catalog distributor and manufacturer of optical components serving research, industrial, and biomedical customers. Overlaps with XRnanotech in precision lenses, gratings, and beam-shaping components for X-ray and photonics applications.
• Bruker: Bruker manufactures X-ray instrumentation, micro-CT systems, and analytical tools for materials and life-science research — overlapping with XRnanotech's Micro CT Test Targets, phase contrast imaging, and NDT-adjacent product lines acquired from Microworks.

Regional players

• NTT Advanced Technology: NTT Advanced Technology distributes and supplies precision optical and X-ray components in Japan — directly comparable to XRnanotech's Japanese sales channel and overlapping product lines (zone plates, gratings, beamline supplies).

Emerging players

• HEXITEC (formerly KIT/Karlsruhe nanofabrication): Spin-off and research activities from KIT Karlsruhe's nanofabrication group overlap with Microworks' heritage and XRnanotech's lithography and LIGA capabilities in X-ray and EUV optics — emerging peer in the same technology ecosystem.
• Nanoscribe (a BICO company): Nanoscribe manufactures two-photon polymerization systems — the same technology XRnanotech uses for 3D nanostructures and achromatic lenses. Comparable as both a tool vendor and a service provider in high-resolution 3D nanofabrication.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about XRnanotech