Tristan Technologies

What Tristan Technologies does

Tristan Technologies, Inc. is a privately held San Diego-based designer and manufacturer of SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) instrumentation, founded in 1991 by former principals of Biomagnetic Technologies and S.H.E. Corporation, acquired by Conductus in 1993, and reformed by former employees in August 1997 after the division closed. The company produces the widest standard product line of laboratory SQUID instrumentation available, spanning low-temperature (LTS, liquid helium) and high-temperature (HTS, liquid nitrogen) systems, with the iMAG electronics platform as its core architecture. Its portfolio includes neonatal MEG systems (babySQUID, Artemis123), biomagnetic clinical devices (Ferritometer liver susceptometer, gutSQUID for intestinal ischemia, spineSQUID for spinal imaging), scanning magnetic microscopes (SMM-1000 with 2 µm resolution), geophysical tools (T877 Tensor Gradiometer, DRM-300 Rock Magnetometer), and laboratory measurement systems (BMS, MFP, PMS).

The company operates from a 6,500 square foot facility in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, with over half devoted to magnetometer fabrication. It sells through a global distributor network covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Russia, supplemented by direct sales for custom systems. Revenue derives from one-time sales of standard and bespoke SQUID systems, contract R&D services, and components/accessories (electronics, sensors, dewars, probes). Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadence and not publicly disclosed. Customers include NIH-funded research institutions (Columbia, Vanderbilt, University of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Princeton), national laboratories (Oak Ridge), NASA, and clinical research hospitals; the company has received over 100 NIH SBIR and R01 grants across its history. Nearly half of staff hold advanced technical degrees, reflecting an R&D-intensive boutique operation of 1-10 employees.

Name

Tristan Technologies

Legal name

Tristan Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://tristantech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tristan Technologies designs and manufactures SQUID-based scientific laboratory instrumentation — including magnetometers, biomagnetic imaging systems, and scanning magnetic microscopes — serving universities, research hospitals, national laboratories, and government agencies through a global distributor network and custom engineering services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Laboratory Instrumentation

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic Coils, Transformers & Other Inductors (3677)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Magnetometry (SQUID/OPM/NV and related) (HDAGAHAD)

Keywords

• SQUID magnetometers
• Biomagnetic imaging systems
• Superconducting instrumentation
• Non-destructive evaluation
• Cryogenic laboratory equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SQUID Instrumentation Systems: Sale of specialized scientific laboratory instruments including SQUID magnetometers, biomagnetic imaging systems, non-destructive evaluation systems, and geophysical instrumentation. Systems range from single-channel to 100+ channel configurations. Custom system design and fabrication services available.
2. Custom System Development: Contract R&D and custom system development for specialized applications including NIH-funded research programs, defense contracts, and private company collaborations.
3. Components and Accessories: Sale of components including SQUID electronics (iMAG300 and iMAG400 series), cryogenic probes, sensors, dewars, scanning stages, magnetic shields, and accessories for configuring SQUID-based systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tristan Technologies designs and manufactures SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometer systems and cryogenic instrumentation for ultra-sensitive magnetic field detection. The company offers the widest standard product line of laboratory SQUID instrumentation, including biomagnetic imaging systems (neonatal MEG, fetal MCG, liver susceptometry), scanning magnetic microscopes, geophysical survey instruments, and non-destructive evaluation tools. Products are sold as both standard catalog items and custom-designed systems, primarily through a global distributor network serving research institutions, hospitals, aerospace/defense, and industrial customers.

Product overview

Tristan Technologies manufactures specialized SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) instrumentation and systems, offering the widest standard product line of laboratory SQUID instrumentation. The portfolio centers on the iMAG® electronics platform supporting both LTS (low-temperature, liquid helium) and HTS (high-temperature, liquid nitrogen) SQUID sensors. Core biomagnetic products include babySQUID® and Artemis123® neonatal magnetoencephalography systems, the Ferritometer® for liver iron assessment, gutSQUID® for intestinal diagnostics, and spineSQUID™ for spinal cord imaging. Animal research variants include animalSQUID™ and monkeySQUID™ systems. Geophysical offerings encompass the T877 Tensor Gradiometer and DRM-300 Rock Magnetometer. Non-destructive evaluation tools include the SMM-1000, SMM-770, and SMM-601 scanning magnetic microscopes. Laboratory infrastructure products include SQUID sensors (LSQ/20, HTM series), cryogenic dewars, probes (SP, MFP), and measurement systems (BMS, PMS). The company also provides custom system design and R&D services. Custom SQUID magnetometers include the first commercial high-temperature SQUID magnetometer and gradiometer, and the world's first magnetic microscope with 2 μm resolution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• babySQUID™: A portable, non-invasive neonatal biomagnetometer system for evaluating neurological impairments in pre-term and full-term infants using magnetoencephalography (MEG).
• Artemis123®
• MagView™
• iMAG®
• Ferritometer®
• gutSQUID®
• spineSQUID™
• animalSQUID™
• monkeySQUID™
• microSQUID™
• MiniMAG™
• babyMEG™

Products and services

• iMAG SQUID Electronics Tristan's flagship line of SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) electronics, including the iMAG300 and iMAG400 series flux-locked loop controllers for operating LTS and HTS SQUID sensors. The electronics platform serves as the core control hardware for all Tristan biomagnetic and laboratory SQUID systems.
• babySQUID Neonatal Biomagnetometer A portable, non-invasive magnetoencephalography (MEG) system for evaluating neurological impairments of pre-term and term infants at the bedside without a magnetically shielded room. Features a dense array of closely-spaced superconducting sensors positioned within 6 mm of the patient's head.
• Artemis123 Whole-Head Neonatal Biomagnetometer A redesigned whole-head neonatal biomagnetometer with 123 measurement channels and expanded helmet for whole-head coverage. Uses LabVIEW operating system and National Instruments data acquisition boards, capable of displaying up to 256 channels at 5 kS/s continuous data acquisition.
• Ferritometer Biomagnetic Liver Susceptometer A biomagnetic liver susceptometer system for clinical assessment of liver iron stores. Includes both LTS and HTS variants developed in conjunction with Columbia University for measuring hepatic iron concentration.
• gutSQUID Intestinal Ischemia System A 37-channel biomagnetometer system designed to measure the Basic Electric Rhythm associated with intestinal activity for detection of Mesenteric Ischemia. Features coil-in-vacuum construction with adjustable detection coil positioning.
• spineSQUID Full Spine System A 63-channel magnetic source imaging system for non-invasive measurements of spinal cord activity and source localization, capable of acquiring data at over 100,000 samples per second on each channel.
• animalSQUID Research Systems A family of research tools for mapping functional neurophysiology in animals including rat, rabbit, pig, turtle, and monkey. Features proprietary microSQUID technology with sub-cm sensor spacing for enhanced signal-to-noise performance.
• monkeySQUID Macaque Imaging System A helmet-shaped sensor system tailored for macaque monkeys to record from intact, awake, behaving animals. Features 37 gradiometer sensor channels with curved tail design for close cortical proximity.
• MagView Neuro-Magnetic Imaging System A neuro-magnetic imaging system component for viewing and analyzing biomagnetic measurement data from SQUID-based systems.
• SMM-1000 Scanning Magnetic Microscope The world's first commercial scanning magnetic microscope with sub-2 µm spatial resolution for studying small electronic circuits and material samples. Uses monolithic array of LTS SQUID sensors with superconducting stepper motors.
• SMM-770 HTS Scanning Magnetic Microscope HTS scanning magnetic microscope with detection coil having 40 µm hole and stand-off distances less than 100 µm. Features sensitivity of approximately 10-11 T/√Hz with scan areas up to 15 cm × 15 cm.
• SMM-601 LTS Scanning SQUID Microscope LTS SQUID scanner with niobium liquid helium sensor and separately wound detection coil. Offers spatial resolution less than 250 µm with field sensitivity under 20 × 10-15 T/√Hz and scanning areas up to 30 cm × 30 cm.
• T877 Tensor Gradiometer An 8-element HTS tensor gradiometer system for magnetic anomaly measurements, designed for magnetotellurics (MT), induced polarization (IP), and low frequency electromagnetic measurements.
• DRM-300 Rock Magnetometer A compact, cryocooled SQUID magnetometer system for measurement of remnant magnetization of geophysical samples using closed-cycle refrigeration to eliminate liquid helium transfers.
• Model 600 Series LTS SQUID Systems Low to medium channel count LTS SQUID magnetometer systems including Models 601 (1-channel), 607 (7-channel), 619 (19-channel), and 637 (37-channel) with various detection coil configurations for liquid helium operation.
• Model 700 Series HTS SQUID Systems HTS SQUID magnetometer systems operating at liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K) including Models 701 (single channel handheld) and 703 (three channel) for various NDE and geophysical applications.
• BMS Basic Measuring Systems HTS (BMS-H) and LTS (BMS-L) SQUID systems for measuring magnetic fields smaller than 100 fT (HTS) or detecting currents with noise levels under 10-12 A/√Hz (LTS) in laboratory settings.
• MFP Multi-Function Probe System A versatile LTS SQUID probe combining full picovoltmeter, magnetometer, and AC bridge capabilities. Provides resistance resolution of 10-10 Ohm and mutual inductance resolution of 10-13 Henry.
• PMS Picovolt Measurement System A cryogenic DC voltage amplifier with gain of 10^8 and RMS noise under 10-13 V/√Hz for measurements of very small voltages and resistances.
• SQUID Sensors (LSQ/20, HTM Series) LTS (LSQ/20) and HTS (HTM-3, HTM-10, HTM-0 MiniMAG) DC SQUID sensors serving as the core sensing elements for iMAG systems, with guaranteed magnetometer performance better than 100 fT/√Hz for HTS variants.
• Cryogenic Dewars and Inserts Non-magnetic liquid helium and liquid nitrogen dewars including adjustable tail configurations with gaps as small as 2 mm, multi-channel dewars, and hand-held dewars operating in any orientation.
• Cryocooled SQUID Systems Gifford-McMahon (GM) and pulse tube refrigerator-based SQUID systems that eliminate the need for liquid cryogen transfers. GM systems can liquefy helium gas and maintain operation; pulse tube systems achieve 77 K for HTS SQUID cooling.
• Custom SQUID Systems Bespoke SQUID systems designed to customer specifications, including custom magnetic, cryogenic, scanning, multichannel, variable temperature systems, magnetic field, and microwave configurations for specialized research and industrial applications.
• Contract R&D Services Contract R&D services spanning cryogenics, magnetic sensing, electronics design, and custom measurement system development for research and industrial applications, including NIH-funded research programs and defense contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• SQUID field sensitivity: better than 10 fT/√Hz for LTS systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, regional, flagship, core and minor.

• Niki Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Japan with offices in Tokyo (Minato-Ku) and Osaka (Yodogawa-ku). Handles sales, support, and customer engagement for Japanese market. Sales managers include Koji Nishi (Tokyo) and Koichi Nishio (Osaka).
• Quantum Design China-BeijingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Beijing, China. Located in Chaoyang District, Beijing.
• LinkPhysics Corporation (China)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Shanghai, China. Located in Putuo District, Shanghai.
• Applied Science Korea Corp. (ASK Corp.)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Korea. Located in Anyang City, Kyunggi-do.
• TransEra Systems Pvt. Ltd. (India)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in India. Located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Director: R. Panneerselvam.
• Omega Scientific Taiwan Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Taiwan. Located in Taipei.
• Quartztime, Inc. (Hong Kong)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Hong Kong. Contact: Larry Xing.
• Elliot Scientific Ltd. (UK & Ireland)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in UK and Ireland. Located in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
• Laser Optotron S.p.A. (Italy)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Italy with offices in Milano and Rome. Sales Engineers: Francesco Biagi (Milano) and Silvano De Pascalis (Rome).
• QD Europe / Quantum Design GmbH (Germany)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Germany and rest of Europe. Located in Darmstadt, Germany. Contact: Marc Kunzmann.
• DOMO-TECHNICA PTY LTD. (Australia & NZ)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Australia and New Zealand. Located in Auburn, NSW, Australia.
• Instrutecnica C. R. S. Ltda. (Brazil)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Located in Campinas, SP, Brazil. Contact: Hugo Vasconcellos.
• AcademLOT (Russia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Tristan Technologies products in Russia. Located in Moscow. Contact: Yuri Zheleznov.
• NIH (National Institutes of Health)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research funding and development partner supporting multiple projects including babySQUID development (SBIR grant 5R44NS038806-04), fetal cardiac monitoring systems, low-cost cryosusceptometer, and various biomagnetic diagnostic systems. Multiple SBIR and R01 grants totaling significant NIH investment.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical collaboration with Presbyterian Hospital for HTS Ferritometer development under NIH R01 grant (R01DK57209/CFRA#93849 subgrant #1) for liver iron assessment technology.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration for intestinal ischemia SQUID instrumentation and SQUID array for corrosion measurements in aging aircraft (AFOSR STTR grant). Developed novel superconducting vector magnetometer for bowel activity detection.
• University of Wisconsin / Medical College of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborative programs including fetal magnetocardiography sensor development, transvaginal probe development, and simultaneous fetal echocardiography and magnetocardiography under NIH SBIR grants.
• Case Western Reserve University / Children's Hospital OaklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on low-cost cryosusceptometer development under NIH SBIR grant (2R44DK066736-02) eliminating SQUID sensors in favor of proprietary magnetic sensors with closed-cycle refrigeration.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory / Battelle / Blackhawk GeometricscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment of HTS SQUID magnetometer system for standoff detection and classification of unexploded ordinance (UXO) under U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center contract N00174-98-C-0026.
• Shared Medical TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubcontract for development of TruckSQUID, a mobile fetal magnetocardiac system integrated into a mobile Magnetically Shielded Room (MSR) mounted on a truck.
• Princeton UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on fT-level atomic magnetometer technology development under DoD STTR grant N00014-04-M-0254. Demonstrated 2 pT/√Hz sensitivity in industrial environment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Quantum Design: Quantum Design manufactures MPMS SQUID-based magnetometers and Physical Property Measurement Systems used in the same physical-properties research labs that purchase Tristan's laboratory SQUID systems. It is the dominant broad-line competitor in laboratory magnetic-property measurement and also serves as one of Tristan's regional distributors (QD Europe).
• MEGIN (formerly Elekta MEG): MEGIN (formerly Elekta/Neuromag) is the established commercial leader in whole-head magnetoencephalography systems for clinical and research use. It competes with Tristan in the MEG segment, particularly for adult and pediatric brain imaging, while Tristan focuses on portable neonatal applications.
• Compumedics / Neuroscan: Compumedics and its Neuroscan subsidiary supply clinical and research magnetoencephalography, EEG, and related neuroimaging systems. It is an established incumbent in the broader neuro-magnetic / bioelectric imaging market where Tristan's babySQUID and Artemis123 systems compete.

Emerging players

• Cerca Magnetics: Cerca Magnetics commercializes optically pumped magnetometer (OPM)-based MEG systems that compete with Tristan's cryogenic biomagnetometers in adult brain imaging and, increasingly, in pediatric applications — representing the leading cryogen-free substitute technology.
• FieldLine Inc. FieldLine develops chip-scale quantum sensors and HTS SQUID magnetometer arrays for biomedical and defense applications. It is an emerging player pursuing overlapping biomagnetic and NDE markets with a different (scalable semiconductor-style) technology approach.

Direct peers

• Supracon AG: Supracon designs and manufactures LTS and HTS SQUID systems for biomagnetic imaging, geophysics, and NDE — directly overlapping Tristan's SQUID magnetometer product portfolio. It is a like-sized, German-headquartered specialist competitor in scientific SQUID instrumentation.
• Magnicon GmbH: Magnicon manufactures SQUID electronics and readout systems (e.g., XXF-1, SEL-1) that overlap Tristan's iMAG flux-locked loop product family. It is a like-sized specialist serving the same low-temperature SQUID electronics market.
• Star Cryoelectronics: Star Cryoelectronics produces LTS and HTS SQUID sensors and integrated magnetometer components that are directly substitutable for Tristan's LSQ/20 and HTM series sensors. It is a specialist sensor competitor and a potential supplier within the broader SQUID ecosystem.

Others

• Cryogenic Limited: Cryogenic Limited supplies cryogenic measurement systems, magnetometers, and related laboratory infrastructure that share customer overlap with Tristan's low-temperature measurement products. It is an adjacent infrastructure provider rather than a direct SQUID-system competitor.

Regional players

• Magstim / Rogue Resolutions: Magstim and its MEG-related subsidiaries supply clinical and research magnetoencephalography and transcranial stimulation systems primarily in the UK and Europe. It overlaps with Tristan's biomagnetic imaging customer base in academic and clinical neuroscience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TristanTech
• Facebookfacebook.com/TristanTech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Tristan Technologies