Zurich Instruments
Zurich Instruments AG is a Swiss precision test and measurement company designing FPGA-based lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems for academic and industrial research customers worldwide. Its LabOne software platform serves quantum, photonics, and nanotechnology applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Zurich Instruments does
Zurich Instruments AG is a privately held Swiss precision test and measurement company, founded in 2008 and headquartered at Technoparkstrasse 1, Zurich. The company designs and manufactures lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems used by academic and industrial research institutions worldwide. Its technology stack rests on proprietary FPGA-based digital signal processing and direct-RF electronics, including a patented phase-synchronous processing method (US20140218103A1) underpinning its boxcar averager and lock-in amplifier product lines. End markets span superconducting and spin-based quantum computing, optics and photonics, scanning probe microscopy, impedance spectroscopy, nanotechnology, and sensor development.
The product portfolio is organized into two horizontal lines: Quantum Control Systems (flagship ZQCS Quantum Control System, HDAWG arbitrary waveform generator, SHFQC+ qubit controller, SHFSG+ signal generator, SHFQA+ quantum analyzer, SHFPPC parametric pump controller, QHub system hub, and PQSC programmable quantum system controller) and Precision Measurement Instruments (SHFLI 8.5 GHz, GHFLI 1.8 GHz, UHFLI 600 MHz, VHFLI 50/200 MHz, and MFLI 500 kHz/5 MHz lock-in amplifiers; MFIA impedance analyzer; and add-on options for PID controllers, phase-locked loops, and boxcar averagers). All hardware is unified through the LabOne instrument control software platform and the specialized LabOne Q stack for quantum systems, with APIs supporting Python, C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and .NET.
Zurich Instruments generates revenue through one-time hardware sales of complete instruments, subscription-based licensing of LabOne software and add-on options, and recurring support and maintenance services (preventive maintenance, calibration, and corrective service). Pricing is quote-based with ex-works (EXW Zurich) terms and multi-year contract cadences; figures are not publicly disclosed. The company sells primarily via a direct enterprise sales motion targeting research institutions, universities, and industrial R&D labs, augmented by regional sales partners in Japan, China, Korea, Australia, and Taiwan. Named customers include ETH Zurich, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Basel, Sungkyunkwan University, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, IQM Quantum Computers, and a documented strategic relationship with Rohde & Schwarz. The company holds CE, RoHS 3, REACH, and MET certifications.
Zurich Instruments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zurich Instruments
- Legal name
- Zurich Instruments AG
- Website
- https://zhinst.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Zurich Instruments AG is a Swiss precision test and measurement company designing FPGA-based lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems for academic and industrial research customers worldwide. Its LabOne software platform serves quantum, photonics, and nanotechnology applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zurich Instruments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Test and Measurement Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Control Electronics (AWG/DAC/ADC, Timing & Synchronization) (HDAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC), Quantum Control Software & Pulse-Level Programming (HDAGACAJ), Calibration, Characterization & Test Instrumentation (Cryo/RF) (HDAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Zurich Instruments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zurich Instruments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Hardware Instruments: Sale of precision measurement instruments including lock-in amplifiers, quantum control systems, impedance analyzers, and arbitrary waveform generators. Products are sold as complete units with various configuration options.
- Software Licenses and Options: Software products including LabOne control software and various add-on options (PID controllers, phase-locked loops, boxcar averagers) are licensed to customers. Software provides instrument control and advanced measurement capabilities.
- Support and Maintenance Services: Preventive maintenance, calibration, and corrective maintenance services are offered as part of support and maintenance agreements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Contact-based pricing for all products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zurich Instruments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zurich Instruments designs and manufactures precision test and measurement instruments, including lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems. The instruments are built on proprietary FPGA-based digital signal processing and are sold with the LabOne / LabOne Q control software for applications in quantum computing research, photonics, materials science, and sensor development.
Product overview
Zurich Instruments offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision test and measurement instruments for quantum technologies, research, and industrial applications. The product lineup centers on two main categories: Quantum Control Systems and Precision Measurement Instruments. Quantum Control products include the ZQCS Quantum Control System (flagship for scaling quantum computers), HDAWG Arbitrary Waveform Generators, SHFQC+ Qubit Controllers, SHFSG+ Signal Generators, SHFQA+ Quantum Analyzers, SHFPPC Parametric Pump Controllers, QHub System Hubs, and PQSC Programmable Quantum System Controllers, all powered by LabOne Q software. Precision Measurement products include the SHFLI (8.5 GHz), GHFLI (1.8 GHz), UHFLI (600 MHz), and VHFLI (50/200 MHz) lock-in amplifiers, MFIA impedance analyzers, and various add-on options (Phase-Locked Loops, PID Controllers, Boxcar Averagers). The UHFLI supports the UHF-BOX Boxcar Averager option. All instruments are controlled via LabOne software with APIs supporting Python, C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and .NET.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LabOne: Instrument control software platform providing platform-independent instrument control including proven measurement methodologies
- LabOne Q
- ZQCS Quantum Control System
- QCCS
Products and services
- ZQCS Quantum Control System Next-generation platform designed to operate large-scale quantum computers and support the development of long-lived logical qubits for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Coordinates thousands of control channels for quantum error correction experiments using modular AdvancedTCA architecture powered by LabOne Q software.
- HDAWG 750 MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generator Arbitrary waveform generator for quantum control and research applications, providing high-frequency signal generation up to 750 MHz for qubit control and readout.
- SHFQC+ 8.5 GHz Qubit Controller Qubit controller supporting frequencies up to 8.5 GHz for superconducting quantum computer control and readout.
- SHFSG+ 8.5 GHz Signal Generator High-frequency signal generator up to 8.5 GHz for quantum computing and research applications.
- SHFQA+ 8.5 GHz Quantum Analyzer Quantum analyzer for high-frequency qubit readout and analysis up to 8.5 GHz.
- SHFPPC Parametric Pump Controller Controller for parametric pumping in quantum computing applications.
- QHub Quantum System Hub System hub for coordinating multiple quantum control instruments in large-scale quantum computing setups.
- PQSC Programmable Quantum System Controller Programmable controller for managing and synchronizing quantum computing systems.
- SHFLI 8.5 GHz Lock-in Amplifier High-frequency lock-in amplifier with 8.5 GHz capability for advanced signal recovery and measurement in research applications.
- GHFLI 1.8 GHz Lock-in Amplifier Lock-in amplifier with 1.8 GHz frequency range for precision signal detection and analysis.
- UHFLI 600 MHz Lock-in Amplifier Versatile lock-in amplifier with 600 MHz frequency range for research applications.
- VHFLI Lock-in Amplifier Very high frequency lock-in amplifier available in 50 MHz and 200 MHz variants for advanced signal analysis in research labs, combining multiple measurement functions.
- MFLI Lock-in Amplifier Mid-frequency lock-in amplifier available in 500 kHz and 5 MHz variants for precision measurements.
- MFIA Impedance Analyzer Impedance analyzer for characterizing electrical components, sensors, and materials across frequency ranges of 500 kHz and 5 MHz.
- LabOne Instrument Control Software Platform-independent instrument control software providing proven measurement methodologies. Supports Python, C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and .NET APIs for automated instrument control and data acquisition.
- LabOne Q Specialized quantum computing control software stack powering the ZQCS Quantum Control System for scalable quantum error correction and qubit control.
Quantifiable outcome
- Dead-time-free operation up to 450 MHz repetition rate for boxcar averagers
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Zurich Instruments
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zurich Instruments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Zurich Instruments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- GoogleminorSponsor of the 2026 Quantum Device Design Workshop at UCLA, along with other quantum computing companies.
- RigettiminorSponsor of the 2026 Quantum Device Design Workshop at UCLA.
- QbloxminorSponsor of the 2026 Quantum Device Design Workshop at UCLA.
- Quantum MachinesminorSponsor of the 2026 Quantum Device Design Workshop at UCLA.
- RiverlanecoreCollaboration to create the world's first quantum error correction platform. Riverlane's Local Clustering Decoder technology combined with Zurich Instruments' control systems to advance scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing.
- IQM Quantum ComputerscoreJoint project to build a real-time quantum error correction (QEC) demonstrator combining IQM's 20-qubit superconducting quantum computer with Zurich Instruments' ZQCS Quantum Control System and NVIDIA's NVQLink platform. The demonstrator enables closed-loop, low-latency decoding and feedback for operating logical qubits at scale.
- NVIDIAcoreCollaboration to integrate NVIDIA NVQLink high-speed interconnect into quantum computing systems, combining Zurich Instruments' control electronics with GPU-accelerated classical computing for real-time quantum error correction.
- Rohde & SchwarzcoreStrategic partnership where Rohde & Schwarz CTO Andreas Pauly describes Zurich Instruments as 'a strong node in the network of actors leading this field.' Companies work together in the quantum computing ecosystem.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zurich Instruments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stanford Research Systems: Long-standing competitor in lock-in amplifiers and precision measurement instruments for research labs; overlapping customer base in academic physics and materials science research.
- Quantum Machines: Direct competitor in quantum control electronics, offering the OPX suite of arbitrary waveform generators and real-time quantum control hardware for superconducting and trapped-ion qubit systems. Most directly comparable peer on the quantum control product line.
- Qblox: Direct competitor providing modular quantum control stacks (Cluster series) for superconducting qubit labs, targeting the same customer set with scalable, synchronized control electronics.
Broad incumbents
- Tektronix: Major oscilloscope and signal analysis vendor with broader T&M reach; partial overlap with Zurich Instruments in AWG and signal measurement used by quantum and photonics researchers.
- Keysight Technologies: Large incumbent test & measurement vendor with a growing quantum control portfolio alongside its broad AWG, signal analyzer, and PXI product lines. Competitor in classical T&M and emerging quantum segments.
- Rohde & Schwarz: Major test & measurement incumbent and Zurich Instruments ecosystem partner, with overlapping RF signal generation and analysis capabilities. Strategic relationship and broad competitor in adjacent RF/T&M.
- National Instruments (NI): Modular PXI-based T&M platform used widely in research labs and quantum experiments. Competes in the data acquisition and FPGA-based control layers adjacent to Zurich Instruments' stack.
Emerging players
- Intermodulation Products: Smaller specialty vendor of lock-in amplifiers and optical phase-locked loop instruments, comparable as a niche precision measurement peer serving similar academic photonics and quantum optics use cases.
- Maybell Quantum: Emerging competitor in dilution refrigerator and cryogenic integration for superconducting quantum systems; adjacent to Zurich Instruments' control electronics through shared quantum lab customers.
Regional players
- Zurich Instruments China / Asia-Pacific Resellers: Regional sales partners in Japan, China, Korea, Australia, and Taiwan handle Zurich Instruments' products with locally-tailored pricing and support, representing both a channel and partial distribution overlap in APAC quantum and photonics research markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zurich Instruments social profiles
Digital presenceZurich Instruments compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Zurich Instruments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zurich Instruments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Zurich Instruments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zurich Instruments 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 Zurich Instruments
What does Zurich Instruments do?
Zurich Instruments designs and manufactures precision test and measurement instruments, including lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems. The instruments are built on proprietary FPGA-based digital signal processing and are sold with the LabOne / LabOne Q control software for applications in quantum computing research, photonics, materials science, and sensor development.
Is Zurich Instruments a public or private company?
Zurich Instruments is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Zurich Instruments founded?
Zurich Instruments was founded in 2008. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Zurich Instruments based?
Zurich Instruments is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Zurich Instruments make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Instruments are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses and Options and support and Maintenance Services.
Who are Zurich Instruments's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stanford Research Systems, Quantum Machines and Qblox. Broad incumbents are Tektronix, Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz and National Instruments (NI). Emerging players are Intermodulation Products and Maybell Quantum. Zurich Instruments China / Asia-Pacific Resellers is listed as a regional player.
Does Zurich Instruments have an API?
Yes. Zurich Instruments LabOne software provides APIs supporting Python, C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW and .NET for instrument control, data acquisition, and measurement automation. The API enables programmatic control of all Zurich Instruments hardware including lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and quantum computing control systems. Developer documentation is at docs.zhinst.com/overview.
What industry is Zurich Instruments in?
Zurich Instruments's product category is Test and Measurement Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGABAF, Quantum Control Electronics (AWG/DAC/ADC, Timing & Synchronization), with a secondary code of IMAGAFAC, Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3825.