Alpao
Bertin Alpao (France, est. 2006) designs and manufactures adaptive optics components and systems - deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, real-time computers, and ACE software - serving astronomy, ophthalmology, microscopy, defense, FSO communications, and microelectronics customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMontbonnot-saint-martin, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alpao does
Bertin Alpao (formerly Alpao, founded 2006 in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, France, and acquired by Bertin Technologies Group on July 11, 2024) designs and manufactures a complete range of adaptive optics (AO) components and systems for use in research and industry. Its core technology is a deformable mirror architecture based on a continuous reflective surface driven by electromagnetic actuators, which the company manufactures in-house alongside Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors, real-time computers (Linux-based, up to 5 kHz loop rate), and the ACE/ACE-SIM software stack (with SDK support for C, C++, Python, MATLAB, and LabVIEW). The product portfolio spans compact budget models (sDM, 37 actuators), industrial embedded units (eDM, 57-97 actuators), standard systems (DM97-DM3228), large-aperture units (DMX, up to 170 mm pupil), and complete turnkey AO kits with more than 100 configurations. The company has delivered the largest European deformable mirror (3,228 actuators for the MAVIS instrument at ESO's VLT) and its own largest unit (2,844 actuators for Keck Observatory).
The business model is built on quote-based, custom hardware sales (deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, real-time computers) bundled with perpetual software licenses (ACE, ACE-SIM) and full system integration services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts follow multi-year cadences typical of major scientific instrument procurement. Bertin Alpao serves seven primary verticals - astronomy, vision science/ophthalmology, microscopy, defense and space, free-space optical (FSO) communications/QKD, laser and physics, and microelectronics - with marquee customers including ESO, Keck Observatory, Subaru, Gemini, ELT, Stanford University (Dubra Lab), HHMI Janelia (Betzig Lab), Thales Alenia Space, Aalyria, CNES, and major ophthalmic OEMs (Canon, ZEISS, TopCon, Nikon). Go-to-market combines direct enterprise technical sales (now integrated with Bertin Technologies) with an international distributor network across Canada, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and the USA, reaching customers in 20+ countries across four continents.
Alpao firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alpao
- Legal name
- BERTIN ALPAO
- Website
- https://alpao.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bertin Alpao (France, est. 2006) designs and manufactures adaptive optics components and systems - deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, real-time computers, and ACE software - serving astronomy, ophthalmology, microscopy, defense, FSO communications, and microelectronics customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alpao industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Optics Components and Systems
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)
Keywords
Where Alpao is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montbonnot-saint-martin
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Alpao 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
Revenue model
- Deformable Mirrors: Sale of deformable mirrors with electromagnetic actuator technology. Products include standard DM, eDM (embedded), sDM (smart), and DMX (large aperture). Configurations range from 37 to 2,844 actuators.
- Wavefront Sensors: Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors optimized for adaptive optics applications. Multiple models for different spectral ranges (VIS, NIR) and speed requirements.
- Real Time Computers: Industrial real-time computers for AO loop control with speeds up to 5kHz and latency under 150µs.
- ACE Software Licenses: ACE control software and ACE-SIM simulation software. Software Development Kit (SDK) available in C, C++, Python, and MATLAB.
- Adaptive Optics Systems: Complete tailor-made AO systems combining deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, and software. Over 100 kit configurations available for different applications.
- Custom Systems and OEM: Custom adaptive optics systems and OEM components for industrial integration. Turnkey solutions for defense, ophthalmology, and microscopy applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Standard Deformable Mirrors |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | eDM (Embedded Deformable Mirror) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ACE Software (Standard) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ACE-SIM Simulation Software |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Real Time Computers |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | AO Systems (Kits) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Alpao product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alpao designs and manufactures a complete range of adaptive optics components and systems for research and industry. Core offerings include electromagnetic deformable mirrors (standard DM, sDM, DMX, and eDM variants from 37 to 2,844 actuators), Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors, CPU Linux-based real-time computers, and ACE/ACE-SIM control and simulation software. These can be purchased individually or integrated into complete AO system kits for astronomy, vision science, microscopy, defense, FSO communications, laser physics, and microelectronics.
Product overview
Bertin Alpao (formerly Alpao, acquired by Bertin Technologies in July 2024) designs and manufactures a complete range of adaptive optics components and systems for research and industry. The core product portfolio centers on Deformable Mirrors (DM) based on electromagnetic actuator technology with continuous reflective surfaces, available in multiple form factors: standard Deformable Mirrors (97-2844 actuators), Smart Deformable Mirrors (sDM, 37 actuators, budget option), Large Aperture Deformable Mirrors (DMX, up to 170mm pupil), and the new embedded eDM for industrial integration. Supporting products include Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors (WFS), Real Time Computers (RTC), and ACE/ACE-SIM software for AO loop control and simulation. These components can be purchased separately or integrated into complete AO Systems. The products serve applications in astronomy (VLT, ELT, Keck), vision science/ophthalmology, microscopy, FSO communications/QKD, defense, microelectronics, and laser physics.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- sDM (Smart Deformable Mirror): A competitive deformable mirror solution with 37 actuators, high stability, and large stroke capabilities designed for budget-conscious users in Ophthalmology, Microscopy, and Microelectronics applications.
- DMX (Large Aperture Deformable Mirrors)
- ACE (Alpao Core Engine)
- ACE-SIM
- Compact RTC (Real Time Computer)
Products and services
- Deformable Mirrors (DM) High-performance deformable mirrors based on a continuous reflective surface driven by electromagnetic actuators that dynamically adapt their shape in real time to correct optical aberrations. Features settling time as low as 400 microseconds, active best flat as low as 7 nm RMS, and up to 90 micrometers of optical deformation peak-to-valley. Used in astronomy, vision science, microscopy, defense, and laser physics.
- Smart Deformable Mirror (sDM) Budget-friendly deformable mirror with 37 actuators combining high stability and large stroke capabilities, designed for compact integration into space-constrained systems and compatible with MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, and the Bertin Alpao environment.
- Large Aperture Deformable Mirrors (DMX) Deformable mirrors with larger pupil diameter up to 170 mm capturing more light from sources in low-light conditions or faint object observation, with up to 50 micrometers of optical deformation peak-to-valley and an optimal hexagonal actuator pattern for high-power handling.
- eDM (Embedded Deformable Mirror) Compact deformable mirror with embedded electronics that drastically reduces cabling, eliminates external drivers, and miniaturizes electronic boards from a 260 mm housing to just a few millimeters; designed for rapid deployment in industrial instruments in defense, microscopy, and ophthalmology markets.
- Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors (WFS) Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors especially designed for adaptive optics, configurable in sensitivity, speed, and spectral range (VIS and NIR), with acquisition frequencies up to 28.1 kHz and latency as low as 10.7 microseconds. Models include SH-CMOS, SH-CMOS fast, SH-EMCCD, SH-EMCCD fast, and SH-InGaAs fast.
- Real Time Computer (RTC) CPU Linux-based real-time computer that runs AO loops up to 5 kHz with pure delay lower than 150 microseconds, providing low latency and jitter for demanding atmospheric turbulence compensation applications. SIMO and MIMO options available.
- ACE (Alpao Core Engine) Software Innovative and flexible object-oriented modular software architecture for adaptive optics control, enabling closure of the AO loop up to 1200 Hz using Bertin Alpao deformable mirrors and wavefront sensors, with a user-friendly and customizable graphical interface.
- ACE-SIM Simulation Software Advanced simulation module that enables modeling, testing, and simulating AO system performance before purchasing components, allowing engineers to test different configurations, simulate realistic scenarios, and anticipate system performance under real-life conditions; special features for FSO systems including fiber coupling and attenuation estimation.
- Adaptive Optics (AO) Systems Complete adaptive optics systems that combine a Bertin Alpao Deformable Mirror, Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor, and ACE software or RTC, with over 100 kit configurations possible; customizable and tunable for specific applications including Space/Defense, FSO, and general astronomy.
- Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) New Spatial Light Modulator technology announced for demanding life sciences applications including retinal imaging and advanced biomedical imaging, presented by CSO Julien Charton at the November 2025 Life Science webinar.
Companies that use Alpao
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Alpao technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature9 records
Alpao partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Astralis Consortium (Macquarie University)coreLed by Macquarie University, consortium for GNAO project to upgrade Gemini North Telescope with next-generation adaptive optics platform. Bertin Alpao provides fully integrated turnkey AO ecosystem including new AO bench, facility system controller, and real-time control system.
- Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM)coreResearch laboratory partnership for GNAO project and CASSIOPEE II project. LAM leads AO loop testing phases and research on adaptive optics for astronomy and free-space optical communications.
- ONERA (French Aerospace Lab)coreFrench Aerospace Lab collaboration for GNAO project and CASSIOPEE II project. ONERA leads AO loop testing phases and contributes to adaptive optics research.
- First Light ImagingcoreLed by First Light Imaging, CASSIOPEE II project aims to develop complete second-generation adaptive optics loop for ELT and other telescopes. Bertin Alpao designs and manufactures innovative deformable mirror with at least 20×20 actuators.
- Aix-Marseille UniversityminorPhD research partnership on AI for free-space optical communications. Jonathan Dray's research on predictive control with reinforcement learning for adaptive optics, supervised by LAM R&D team.
- OpticaminorPartnership for webinar series on adaptive optics innovations. Topics include life sciences imaging, laser communication, and optical ground stations.
- CNES (French Space Agency)minorCo-funded PhD research and FrOGS ground station partnership. FrOGS achieves ultra-high-speed data transmission using adaptive optics.
- Airbus Defence and SpaceminorPartnership in FrOGS ground station development for free-space optical communications. CNES, Airbus, OGS-Technologies, and Safran Data Systems collaboration.
- OGS-TechnologiesminorPartnership in FrOGS ground station development for free-space optical communications.
- Safran Data SystemsminorPartnership in FrOGS ground station development for free-space optical communications.
- Thales Alenia SpaceminorPrevious collaboration on PhD research. Current partnership for quantum key distribution (QKD) and secure quantum networks development presented in webinar.
- Space ODTminorContributor to GNAO Factory Acceptance Test review for Gemini North Telescope adaptive optics platform.
- AGC / Xinuo PhotonicsminorDistributor in China covering Shanghai region.
- Aunion TechminorDistributor in China covering Shanghai and Xi'an regions.
- Autex Inc.minorDistributor in Japan covering Tokyo region.
- BlactekminorDistributor in USA covering Natick, Massachusetts region.
- ChronixminorDistributor in Japan.
- Surise Innovation Co., LimitedminorDistributor in Hong Kong.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Alpao competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alpao social profiles
Digital presenceAlpao financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alpao leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Alpao funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alpao 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 Alpao
What does Alpao do?
Alpao designs and manufactures a complete range of adaptive optics components and systems for research and industry. Core offerings include electromagnetic deformable mirrors (standard DM, sDM, DMX, and eDM variants from 37 to 2,844 actuators), Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors, CPU Linux-based real-time computers, and ACE/ACE-SIM control and simulation software. These can be purchased individually or integrated into complete AO system kits for astronomy, vision science, microscopy, defense, FSO communications, laser physics, and microelectronics.
Is Alpao a public or private company?
Alpao is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Alpao founded?
Alpao was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Alpao based?
Alpao is headquartered in Montbonnot-saint-martin, France, in the Europe region.
How does Alpao make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Deformable Mirrors are the primary driver. The others are wavefront Sensors, real Time Computers, ACE Software Licenses, adaptive Optics Systems and custom Systems and OEM.
Does Alpao have an API?
Yes. The WaveFront Sensor (WFS) and loop Software Development Kit (SDK) is an easy-to-use SDK especially designed for Adaptive Optics (AO) systems. It offers an intuitive Application Programming Interface (API) to perform wavefront sensor measurement, an AO closed-loop control to be integrated in final software, slope measurement, and Zernike modal reconstruction and decomposition. The API is available in C, C++, Python and MATLAB. Developer documentation is at www.alpao.com/products-and-services/adaptive-optics-software.
What industry is Alpao in?
Alpao's product category is Adaptive Optics Components and Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAJAF, Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3827.