MicroTech Instruments

What MicroTech Instruments does

MicroTech Instruments, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Mill Valley, California (with operations reaching a Virginia contact line), is a privately held manufacturer of terahertz (THz) optical components serving the 0.1–10 THz frequency range. The company builds five core product categories: free-standing tungsten wire grid polarizers (18 configurations spanning $1,000–$5,000), Thin Film Polarizers fabricated via proprietary ultrafast-laser micromachining on polymer membranes ($2,000), Polarization Rotators ($1,700), Polyethylene Lenses ($800), and Terahertz Low Pass Filters ($950). These components are designed for time-domain THz spectroscopy, THz imaging systems, non-destructive testing, and beam-shaping applications, and are validated using the firm's in-house TScan-1000 spectrometer.

The company operates exclusively via direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its mtinstruments.com storefront, with unit-pricing per product and standardized shipping ($50 USA, $100 international). Lead times are 1–2 business days for in-stock items and 6–8 weeks for backorders, consistent with small-batch manufacturing. Its primary customer segment is research and academic institutions performing THz imaging and spectroscopy, with a secondary industrial quality-control segment focused on non-destructive testing and semiconductor inspection. The firm has no disclosed distribution partnerships, no enterprise sales motion, and headcount of 1–10.

Capital formation has been minimal: a 2013 National Science Foundation award of approximately $148,932 is the only disclosed funding event. There is no evidence of institutional venture investment, M&A activity, or leadership turnover. Competitive positioning rests on domain specialization in THz optics, in-house micromachining capability for thin-film polarizers, and a broad catalog across the usable THz spectrum rather than on scale or proprietary data assets.

Name

MicroTech Instruments

Legal name

Microtech Instruments

Website

https://mtinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MicroTech Instruments is a small US-based manufacturer of terahertz optical components — wire grid polarizers, thin film polarizers, polarization rotators, polyethylene lenses, and THz low pass filters — sold direct to research labs and industrial quality-control customers via its e-commerce storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lorton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. THz Optical Component Sales: MicroTech Instruments generates revenue through direct sales of terahertz optical components including Wire Grid Polarizers, Thin Film Polarizers, Polyethylene Lenses, Polarization Rotators, and Terahertz Low Pass Filters. Products are sold at fixed unit prices through the company's e-commerce website with shipping charges for delivery. Products are available for immediate shipment or backorder.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

MicroTech Instruments manufactures and sells terahertz (THz) optical components for THz spectroscopy, imaging, and non-destructive testing applications. Its product line spans Wire Grid Polarizers, Thin Film Polarizers, Polarization Rotators, Polyethylene Lenses, and Terahertz Low Pass Filters, all operating across the 0.1-10 THz frequency range. Products are sold as standalone units with fixed pricing ($800-$5,000) through the company's own e-commerce website.

Product overview

MicroTech Instruments is a manufacturer of terahertz (THz) optical components and spectroscopy equipment. The product portfolio consists of five core product categories: Wire Grid Polarizers (free-standing tungsten wire polarizers in 18 configurations), Polarization Rotators, Polyethylene Lenses, Terahertz Low Pass Filters, and Thin Film Polarizers. These products serve applications in THz imaging, spectroscopy, non-destructive testing, and optical THz generation systems. The company operates as an e-commerce business selling directly to customers, with products priced from $800 to $5,000.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wire Grid Polarizer - Free Standing Free-standing wire grid polarizers made of 10-20 µm tungsten wire wound on circular frames with 25-200 µm spacing, available in 18 configurations (G25-L through G250-S/L) with 40mm/88mm clear apertures. Prices range from $1,000 to $5,000. Used in THz spectroscopy, imaging, and non-destructive testing.
• Thin Film Polarizers (TFP) High-performance thin film polarizers consisting of metal stripe arrays fabricated on polymer membrane using ultrafast laser micromachining. Designed for the 0.2-5 THz range with 4.3 µm stripe width and 1.5 µm spacing, 40mm clear aperture, 50mm external diameter. Priced at $2,000. Used in THz imaging, spectroscopy, and non-destructive testing where operation above 3 THz is required.
• Polarization Rotator Polarization rotator consisting of a wire grid polarizer combined with a mounted mirror placed at an adjustable distance behind the polarizer, designed to convert incoming linearly polarized THz signals into elliptically polarized output. Priced at $1,700. Used in THz spectroscopy and imaging setups requiring polarization state manipulation.
• Polyethylene Lenses Lenses manufactured from purified high-density polyethylene, offering best performance below 1 THz and above 7 THz. Blocks visible and near-IR wavelengths, enabling light-blocking use. Models include PL-60 (60mm focal length) and PL-120 (120mm focal length, bi-convex spherical, 2.75" external diameter, 2" clear aperture). Each priced at $800. Used for THz beam focusing in spectroscopy and imaging setups.
• Terahertz Low Pass Filters THz low pass filters constructed from micro-structured material that blocks visible through mid-IR wavelengths while passing THz beams. Achieves <0.01% transmission in 700-850nm range and >80% transmission across 0.1-3 THz. Optimal for time-domain THz spectroscopy, zinc telluride-based systems, and photo-conductive switch systems. Model LPF1: $950, mounted in 2" diameter holder with 43mm clear aperture.

Quantifiable outcome

• THz transmission above 80% across 0.1 to 3 THz range for Low Pass Filters
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/micro-tech-instruments-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 MicroTech Instruments