Asylum Research

What Asylum Research does

Asylum Research, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, manufactures scanning probe and atomic force microscopes (AFM) for nanoscale imaging, measurement, and characterization. The company operates as the AFM business unit of Oxford Instruments Group plc (LSE: OXIG), with 101-250 employees and a global footprint spanning North America, the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Japan, and China.

The product portfolio is organized into four AFM families: the Vero Family (Vero S, Vero ES, Vero VRS1250) leveraging the proprietary QPDI (Quad Photodiode Interferometry) sensor for true tip displacement measurement; the Jupiter Family, including the newly launched Jupiter Discovery AFM for large-sample applications; the Cypher Family AFMs featuring patented blueDrive photothermal cantilever excitation and an interferometric displacement sensor; and the MFP-3D Family (MFP-3D Origin, Origin+, BIO) for materials and life-science research. Each family is supported by an extensive accessory ecosystem (KPFM, viscoelastic mapping, fast force mapping, environmental and thermal control modules) and software tools including Ergo AFM Software, AR Maps, and the Relate correlative imaging platform that links AFM with electron microscopy, EDS, and EBSD.

The business generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) hardware sales of AFM systems and accessories configured via direct consultative sales with regional sales engineers at quote-based enterprise pricing under multi-year contracts; (2) recurring support and service agreements for installed instruments; and (3) self-serve eCommerce sales of proprietary AFM probes and cantilevers through regional online stores. The customer base is concentrated in academic and government research institutions together with industrial R&D teams in semiconductors, energy storage, data storage, thin films, and bioscience. Revenue and standalone financials are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Asylum Research

Legal name

Asylum Research

Website

https://asylumresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Asylum Research manufactures scanning probe and atomic force microscopes (AFM) used by academic researchers and industrial R&D teams for nanoscale imaging and characterization across materials, semiconductor, energy, and bioscience applications. It operates as the AFM division of Oxford Instruments Group plc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation (Atomic Force Microscopy)

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Atomic force microscopy
• AFM instruments
• Nanoscale imaging
• Scanning probe microscopes
• Nanomechanical characterization

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AFM Instruments: Sale of atomic force microscope systems across multiple product families (Vero, Jupiter, Cypher, MFP-3D) for academic research and industrial R&D applications.
2. AFM Accessories and Consumables: Sale of AFM accessories including probes, cantilevers, environmental controls, and specialized modules. Sold through regional probe stores and eCommerce.
3. Support and Service Agreements: Ongoing maintenance, calibration, and support contracts for installed AFM systems.
4. Professional Services: Custom AFM instrumentation development and specialized measurement services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Asylum Research manufactures and sells atomic force microscope (AFM) systems across four product families — Vero, Jupiter, Cypher, and MFP-3D — for nanoscale imaging, measurement, and characterization in materials science, bioscience, semiconductor, and energy research. The company also provides proprietary AFM accessories and modules, control and correlative imaging software, and consumable AFM probes/cantilevers, along with installation, calibration, and ongoing support and service agreements.

Product overview

Asylum Research, part of Oxford Instruments Group, is a technology leader in atomic force microscopy serving academic research and industrial R&D. The company offers a multi-platform portfolio of AFM systems comprising four distinct product families: the VERO Family (Vero S, Vero ES, Vero VRS1250) combining next-generation QPDI technology with Cypher's proven performance; the Jupiter Family including the newly launched Jupiter Discovery AFM for large-sample, next-generation performance; the Cypher Family delivering ultra-high resolution with unmatched speed; and the MFP-3D Family (MFP-3D Origin, MFP-3D Origin+, MFP-3D-BIO) for versatile materials and bioscience applications. Supporting the core AFM platforms, Asylum Research provides comprehensive accessory ecosystems for each family (Jupiter, Cypher, MFP-3D), specialized software tools including Ergo AFM Software, AR Maps, and Relate correlative imaging software for integration with EM/EDS/EBSD, plus dedicated AFM probes and cantilevers available through regional eCommerce stores.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vero Family AFMs Next-generation AFM family combining QPDI (Quad Photodiode Interferometry) technology with Cypher's proven performance to deliver unmatched accuracy, precision, and repeatability with true tip displacement measurement for academic research and industrial R&D.
• Jupiter Discovery AFM Next-generation large-sample AFM within the Jupiter family providing ultra-high performance with exceptional usability, optimized workflow, and unmatched configurability for materials and bioscience applications.
• Cypher Family AFMs Ultra-high-performance AFM family offering top-tier resolution, unmatched speed with instant results, and simple environmental control for advanced research applications.
• MFP-3D Family AFMs High-performance AFM family comprising the MFP-3D Origin, MFP-3D Origin+, and MFP-3D-BIO for versatile nanoscale characterization in materials and life science research.
• AFM Probes and Cantilevers Specialized consumable AFM probes and cantilevers for use with Asylum Research AFM systems, sold through regional eCommerce stores in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Asia, Japan, and China.
• AFM Support and Service Agreements Recurring maintenance, calibration, and technical support contracts for installed Asylum Research AFM systems, sold as annual subscription agreements.
• Custom AFM Instrumentation Development Custom AFM instrumentation development and specialized measurement services for researchers with unique application requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 R&D 100 Award Winner
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Oxford Instruments GroupcoreOthersAsylum Research is a business unit of Oxford Instruments Group, operating as the AFM division within the larger scientific instrumentation company. This provides integration with other Oxford Instruments technologies including NanoAnalysis, NanoIndentation, Raman, EBSD, and Plasma Technology for comprehensive nanoscale research solutions.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• WITec: WITec GmbH, headquartered in Ulm, Germany, manufactures confocal Raman microscopes and correlative Raman-AFM systems. Overlaps with Asylum Research in correlative microscopy use cases and competes for the same materials and biological research customer budgets.

Direct peers

• Nanosurf: Nanosurf AG, headquartered in Liestal, Switzerland, manufactures compact and modular AFMs (e.g., FlexAFM, NaioAFM) for academic and industrial customers. Competes with Asylum in the entry-to-mid research AFM segment with significant overlap in academic and core research lab buyers.
• RHK Technology: RHK Technology, Inc., headquartered in Troy, Michigan, manufactures UHV scanning probe microscopy systems including AFMs tailored to surface science research. Direct competitor with Asylum Research in custom UHV and cryogenic AFM use cases, serving overlapping university and national-laboratory customers.
• Nanonics Imaging: Nanonics Imaging Ltd., headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, manufactures multi-probe AFM systems and integrated AFM-SEM combinations. Direct competitor with Asylum in advanced multi-modal AFM and serves overlapping customers in nanomanufacturing, materials, and biological research.
• Park Systems: Park Systems Corp., headquartered in South Korea and publicly traded on KOSDAQ, is a leading global AFM manufacturer with the NX-series covering research and industrial applications. Closest public comparable to Asylum with a similar multi-platform strategy and tiered pricing structure.
• NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments: NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments (now Spectrum Instruments), headquartered in Zelenograd, Russia, manufactures a broad portfolio of scanning probe microscopes including high-resolution AFMs. Direct competitor with Asylum Research across materials science, life science, and industrial AFM applications globally.
• SPECS: SPECS GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, makes surface analysis systems including UHV AFMs and STM for materials research. Competes directly with Asylum Research in academic and industrial materials AFM, particularly in ultra-high-vacuum and cryogenic environments.
• Bruker Nano Surfaces: Bruker Nano Surfaces is the dominant AFM manufacturer globally, formed by absorbing the legacy Veeco/Digital Instruments AFM franchise and JPK Instruments (Berlin). Direct head-to-head competitor with Asylum Research across research-grade and industrial AFM segments, with a larger product portfolio and R&D budget.

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi High-Tech: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, manufactures electron microscopes, AFM systems (formerly SII Nanotechnology brand), and broader analytical instruments. Competes with Asylum Research in materials characterization and industrial R&D microscopy markets across Asia.
• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Carl Zeiss Microscopy (ZEISS Group), headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, is a major microscopy manufacturer spanning optical, electron, and X-ray microscopy. Competes with Asylum Research for the same downstream research budgets and increasingly enters correlative AFM workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/asylumafm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWkjWb52NtKzZn8CGSRL67g
• Facebookfacebook.com/asylumresearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asylum-research-an-oxford-instruments-company

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 Asylum Research