Hinds Instruments
Hinds Instruments is a precision polarization measurement manufacturer founded in 1971, selling Exicor systems, Mueller and Stokes polarimeters, and Photoelastic Modulator (PEM) components to research labs, government programs, and industrial manufacturers in display, solar, nuclear, pharmaceutical, and aerospace markets worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersHillsboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hinds Instruments does
Hinds Instruments, Inc. is a privately held manufacturer of precision polarization measurement instrumentation founded in 1971 and headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon. The company's products are built around its proprietary Photoelastic Modulator (PEM) technology, which uses the photoelastic effect in transparent optical elements (fused silica, CaF2, LiF, ZnSe, Si) vibrating at resonant frequencies of 20–100 kHz to generate oscillating birefringence for high-sensitivity polarization modulation and analysis. Building on this core technology, Hinds sells integrated systems (Exicor birefringence measurement systems in HD, GEN, DUV, OIA, and PV-Si variants; Exicor MicroImager; Mueller polarimeters such as 150XT and 450XT; Stokes polarimeters including PolSNAP; the 2-MGEM optical anisotropy microscope; and the CD MicroPlate Reader) along with components (PEM-100/200/ATC photoelastic modulators, APD-100 and DET-200 photodetectors, Signaloc 2100 lock-in amplifier, high-speed optical choppers, and MOKE kits). End customers include flat panel display manufacturers, solar/PV silicon producers, TRISO nuclear fuel researchers and developers (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ultra-Safe Nuclear Corporation), pharmaceutical chiral drug screening researchers, NASA/JPL atmospheric aerosol programs, university research labs, and OEM instrument builders.
Hinds monetizes through direct sale of integrated systems and components with quote-based, custom pricing, supplemented by installation, training, factory acceptance testing, and warranty/non-warranty repair services. Distribution combines direct sales from the Hillsboro headquarters with a global network of exclusive dealers covering 16+ Western European countries via Acal/BFi, India (Laser Science Services, SciTech), Japan (Tokyo Instruments), China (OPCrown Photonics, Bright Stars Technologies), South Korea (Opto Mechanical Associates), Taiwan (Titan Electro-Optics), the UK (Pro-Lite Technology), Switzerland (GMP SA), Italy (Laser Optronic), the Netherlands (Acal BFi Netherlands), and Australia, plus a separate exclusive worldwide distributor (Bio-Logic Science Instruments) for the CD MicroPlate Reader pharmaceutical product line. Revenue, customer count, and capital structure are not publicly disclosed; no funding rounds, external investors, or parent company ownership structure appear in available sources. The company has received four R&D 100 Awards (2001, 2003, 2008, 2013), two Photonics Circle of Excellence Awards, and a SPIE Prism Award finalist recognition, and operates under sub-brands Exicor, PEMLabs, Signaloc, and PolSNAP.
Hinds Instruments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hinds Instruments
- Legal name
- Hinds Instruments, Inc.
- Website
- https://hindsinstruments.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hinds Instruments is a precision polarization measurement manufacturer founded in 1971, selling Exicor systems, Mueller and Stokes polarimeters, and Photoelastic Modulator (PEM) components to research labs, government programs, and industrial manufacturers in display, solar, nuclear, pharmaceutical, and aerospace markets worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hinds Instruments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Polarization Measurement Instruments
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)
Keywords
Where Hinds Instruments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hillsboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hinds Instruments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Optical Measurement Systems: Integrated systems for specific industrial and research applications including birefringence measurement systems, Mueller polarimeters, Stokes polarimeters, and Mueller imagers. Sold as complete turnkey instruments with automated XY stages, software, and accessories for quality control and R&D applications.
- Optical Components: Photoelastic modulators (PEMs), photo detectors (APD-100, DET-200), lock-in amplifiers (Signaloc 2100), high speed optical choppers, and kits. Components are sold separately for benchtop R&D, OEM applications, and as the foundation of Hinds' most powerful integrated systems.
- Professional Services: Installation, user training, and after-sale support services. The company provides factory acceptance testing, site installation, and training as part of system delivery (e.g., Exicor OIA and GEN6 installations). Also offers warranty and non-warranty repair services.
- Custom/OEM Configurations: Custom configurations of base systems and OEM embedded solutions (e.g., custom PEMs for NASA/JPL aerospace applications). Quote-based pricing for tailored instruments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hinds Instruments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hinds Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells precision optical instruments and components for polarization measurement, with proprietary Photoelastic Modulator (PEM) technology as its foundation. The integrated Systems portfolio covers birefringence measurement (Exicor HD/GEN/DUV/OIA/PV-Si), birefringence imaging (Exicor MicroImager), Stokes and Mueller polarimetry/imaging (PolSNAP, 150XT, 450XT, Mueller Imager), nuclear fuel anisotropy (2-MGEM with ORNL), and high-throughput chiral pharmaceutical screening (CD MicroPlate Reader). The Components portfolio supplies OEM and research-grade PEMs, photodetectors, lock-in amplifiers, optical choppers, and MOKE kits used in laboratory and OEM applications.
Product overview
Hinds Instruments is a world leader in polarization measurement instrumentation, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into two categories: integrated Systems for specific industrial and research applications, and Components for benchtop R&D or OEM applications. The product portfolio centers on Exicor-brand birefringence measurement systems (including MicroImager for imaging, OIA for oblique incidence, GEN series for LCD glass, and PV-Si for solar applications) and Mueller/Stokes polarimeters for complete polarization analysis. Core technology is based on proprietary Photoelastic Modulators (PEMs) operating at fixed frequencies (20-84 kHz), complemented by signal processing components (Signaloc lock-in amplifiers, photodetectors) and specialized systems like the 2-MGEM for nuclear fuel analysis and CD MicroPlate Reader for pharmaceutical screening. The company has received multiple R&D 100 Awards recognizing technological breakthroughs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Exicor: Brand name for birefringence measurement systems including Exicor MicroImager, Exicor OIA, Exicor GEN Series, and Exicor DUV. Recognized award-winning products.
- PEMLabs
- Signaloc
- PolSNAP
Products and services
- Exicor Birefringence Measurement Systems Integrated birefringence measurement systems for measuring stress-induced optical retardation in glass, crystals, polymers, and thin films. Available in multiple models (150AT through 2000HD) plus specialized variants for LCD glass (GEN series), deep-UV applications (DUV), oblique incidence (OIA), and silicon ingots (PV-Si). Designed for industrial quality control and advanced research applications.
- Exicor MicroImager Birefringence imaging microscope for biological structures, glass, crystals, and other organic and inorganic samples. Features 0.01 nm digital resolution, 0.3 nm detection limit, and a measurement range beyond 300 nm using red light, with 2X and 5X magnification objectives delivering 5-micron and 2-micron spatial resolution.
- Stokes Polarimeters (PolSNAP and standard models) Instruments that measure Stokes vectors of light, including the compact PolSNAP model (79mm diameter, 40mm thick, 6nW sensitivity) and standard dual Stokes polarimeters. Used for complete characterization of the polarization state of a light beam.
- Mueller Polarimeters (150XT, 450XT) Mueller matrix polarimeters using 4-PEM technology to simultaneously measure all 16 Mueller matrix elements of a sample. The 150XT (benchtop, 150mm × 150mm samples) and 450XT (floor mount, 450mm × 450mm samples) provide complete polarization property measurement with no moving optical components.
- Mueller Matrix Imager Mueller Matrix Imager for mapping depolarization, extinction, stress-strain, thin film properties, and material anisotropy. Will provide precision to ±0.001 for Mueller Matrix measurement (announced but not yet generally available at source date).
- Exicor OIA (Oblique Incident Angle) Birefringence Measurement System Oblique Incident Angle birefringence measurement system for planar and curved surface optics. Available with DUV 193nm measurement capability for photomask and lithography applications.
- Exicor PV-Si (Silicon Ingot Birefringence Measurement System) Near-infrared birefringence measurement system designed for stress measurement in silicon ingots for the solar cell manufacturing process. Co-developed with SolarWorld Industries and SCHOTT Solar Wafer GmbH.
- 2-MGEM Optical Anisotropy Factor Measurement System Two-Modulator Generalized Ellipsometry Microscope for measuring optical diattenuation of pyrocarbon layers within TRISO nuclear fuel particles. Co-developed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, based on patented technology (U.S. Patent No. 5956147) licensed from UT-Battelle, LLC. Used by nuclear energy researchers and companies such as Ultra-Safe Nuclear Corporation.
- CD MicroPlate Reader Circular dichroism microplate reader for high-throughput screening of chiral pharmaceuticals. Measures the enantiomeric excess of 96 reaction products in less than 2 minutes. Originally contracted by Prof. Eric Anslyn at University of Texas at Austin; marketed worldwide through exclusive distributor Bio-Logic Science Instruments.
- Photoelastic Modulators (PEM-100, PEM-200, PEM-ATC) Photoelastic modulators producing polarization modulation at fixed resonant frequencies (20-84 kHz) with high transmission (>90%), high power handling (>5 GW/cm²), wide spectral range (vacuum UV to mid-IR), and large acceptance angle (±40°). PEM-ATC variant adds proprietary PID thermal control for drift-free operation. Aerospace-qualified ruggedized dual-PEM camera modules developed for NASA JPL.
- Photo Detectors (APD-100 and DET-200 series) Photodetector components including the APD-100 avalanche photodiode detector module with high sensitivity and adjustable gain, and the DET-200 series photodiode detectors covering 200-1600nm spectral range. Sold as benchtop R&D and OEM components for use with Hinds PEM-based systems.
- Signaloc 2100 Lock-In Amplifier AC and DC signal recovery lock-in amplifier optimized for demodulation of PEM signals in the Exicor line, matching the sensitivity of popular commercial lock-in amplifiers. Originally designed for use with Hinds PEMs in birefringence and polarization measurement setups.
- High Speed Optical Choppers High-speed optical choppers for light beam modulation in laboratory and research settings, used as enabling components in optical measurement experiments.
- MOKE (Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect) Measurement Kits MOKE (Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect) measurement kits and probe systems for magnetic thin film analysis, sold as benchtop research components.
Quantifiable outcome
- Exicor birefringence measurement systems achieve 0.001 nm optical retardation resolution, orders of magnitude more sensitive than polariscopes
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Hinds Instruments
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hinds Instruments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Hinds Instruments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ultra-Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC)coreUSNC adopted Hinds' Exicor 2-MGEM system for TRISO nuclear fuel analysis. The system was co-developed by Hinds and Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the leadership of Dr. Jellison. This breakthrough technology has transformed the measurement and analysis of TRISO nuclear fuel, enhancing safety and productivity.
- Bio-Logic Science InstrumentscoreExclusive worldwide marketing and sales distribution agreement for Hinds' new CD MicroPlate Reader product. Multi-year agreement combining Hinds' strength in polarization, chiral technology, and systems development with Bio-Logic's global distribution reach in CD spectroscopy and rapid kinetics. Bio-Logic is the sole worldwide distributor for this product.
- SolarWorld IndustriesminorCollaboration to develop a birefringence measurement system for silicon ingots for the solar cell manufacturing process. Published paper 'Measuring stress in Si ingots using linear birefringence' in Energy Procedia. SolarWorld provided samples and industry input; Hinds developed the NIR birefringence measurement system based on Exicor technology.
- Acal/BFicoreExclusive dealer and representative for all Hinds products in 16 countries across Western Europe (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, and others). Agreement announced at the 2013 Laser World of Photonics in Munich.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)coreHinds and ORNL signed CRADA No. NFE-12-04041 to further develop and refine the 2-MGEM Optical Anisotropy Factor Measurement System. The 2-MGEM was initially developed at ORNL by Dr. G.E. Jellison using Hinds' core PEM technology. An earlier CRADA (ORNL00-0603) produced a commercial version. The new CRADA focuses on expanding the user interface, increasing processing speed, replacing obsolete third-party components, and expanding remote field service capability.
- Laser Science Services (I) Pvt LtdcoreExclusive dealer and representative for all Hinds products in India. Headquartered in Navi Mumbai with regional offices in Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata. India's premier distributor of Lasers and Spectroscopy instruments with nearly 25 years of service to R&D and commercial organizations.
- SCHOTT Solar Wafer GmbHminorJoint system development project to study polarization characteristics and stress birefringence in silicon wafers and PV-related materials. Hinds developed a system based on Exicor birefringence measurement systems operating at NIR wavelength with small measurement point and high spatial resolution. SCHOTT provided samples and industry input.
- New York University (Prof. Bart Kahr)coreCollaboration under NSF-sponsored GOALI (Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry) grant to develop a 4-PEM Mueller Matrix Polarimeter (150XT) for chiroptical spectroscopy of crystals. NYU was co-developer and joint award recipient of the 2013 R&D 100 Award. Professor Kahr's group worked closely with Hinds engineers for over a year on development.
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)coreNearly two decades of collaboration (mid-2000s to present) to develop aerospace-qualified Photoelastic Modulators (PEMs) for NASA's AirMSPI (Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager, flights from 2010) and MAIA (Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols, satellite instrument) projects. Funded by NASA's Earth Science Technology Office and Earth System Science Pathfinder Program Office. Hinds developed ruggedized dual-PEM camera modules capable of high-altitude flight and space qualification.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hinds Instruments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PerkinElmer: PerkinElmer offers analytical instruments including spectroscopy platforms used in pharmaceutical and material characterization — overlapping with Hinds' CD/VCD and stress-birefringence product lines in pharma and QC.
- Agilent Technologies: Agilent's analytical instruments include spectroscopy and chromatography systems used in pharma and academic research, putting it in adjacent competition with Hinds' chiroptical and polarization measurement offerings.
- HORIBA Scientific: HORIBA's scientific division produces spectroscopy and analytical instruments (Raman, fluorescence, CD-like chiroptical systems) used across pharmaceutical, materials, and research markets where Hinds also competes.
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu is a major photonic and optical-sensor incumbent with products in photodetectors, polarimetry components, and spectroscopy systems that overlap with Hinds' components and instruments across multiple end markets.
- Bruker: Bruker manufactures a portfolio of scientific instruments including spectroscopic ellipsometers and polarimetry tools used in materials research and semiconductor metrology — adjacent to Hinds' birefringence and Mueller polarimeter range.
Direct peers
- JASCO: JASCO manufactures CD/VCD spectroscopy instruments that directly compete with Hinds' CD MicroPlate Reader and Mueller matrix polarimeters in pharmaceutical, biomolecular, and chiroptical research applications.
- Thorlabs: Thorlabs is a broad-line photonics components and instruments company covering polarization optics, electro-optic modulators, and measurement instruments. It overlaps directly with Hinds' PEM technology and polarization optics customer base, while serving a much wider portfolio.
- Meadowlark Optics: Meadowlark Optics specializes in polarization optics and instruments (polarizers, liquid crystal variable retarders, polarimetry), making it one of the closest direct competitors to Hinds in the polarization measurement category.
- Bio-Logic Science Instruments: Bio-Logic is Hinds' exclusive worldwide distributor for the CD MicroPlate Reader and itself manufactures CD spectroscopy and stopped-flow instruments, making it both a partner and a peer in chiroptical spectroscopy.
Others
- Edmund Optics: Edmund Optics is a major supplier of optical components — including polarization optics — used by the same research and industrial customers Hinds serves, but does not compete directly in PEM-based metrology instruments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hinds Instruments social profiles
Digital presenceHinds Instruments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hinds Instruments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Hinds Instruments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hinds 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 Hinds Instruments
What does Hinds Instruments do?
Hinds Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells precision optical instruments and components for polarization measurement, with proprietary Photoelastic Modulator (PEM) technology as its foundation. The integrated Systems portfolio covers birefringence measurement (Exicor HD/GEN/DUV/OIA/PV-Si), birefringence imaging (Exicor MicroImager), Stokes and Mueller polarimetry/imaging (PolSNAP, 150XT, 450XT, Mueller Imager), nuclear fuel anisotropy (2-MGEM with ORNL), and high-throughput chiral pharmaceutical screening (CD MicroPlate Reader). The Components portfolio supplies OEM and research-grade PEMs, photodetectors, lock-in amplifiers, optical choppers, and MOKE kits used in laboratory and OEM applications.
Is Hinds Instruments a public or private company?
Hinds Instruments is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Hinds Instruments founded?
Hinds Instruments was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hinds Instruments based?
Hinds Instruments is headquartered in Hillsboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hinds Instruments make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Optical Measurement Systems are the primary driver. The others are optical Components, professional Services and custom/OEM Configurations.
Who are Hinds Instruments's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PerkinElmer, Agilent Technologies, HORIBA Scientific, Hamamatsu Photonics and Bruker. Direct peers are JASCO, Thorlabs, Meadowlark Optics and Bio-Logic Science Instruments. Edmund Optics is listed as an others.
Does Hinds Instruments have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hinds Instruments.
What industry is Hinds Instruments in?
Hinds Instruments's product category is Polarization Measurement Instruments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAL, Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAA, Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems. Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3827.