What Surface Concept does

Surface Concept GmbH is an owner-managed German high-tech manufactory headquartered in Mainz that designs, develops and produces scientific instrumentation for time-resolved detection of electrons, ions, X-rays and UV photons, as well as fluorescence microscopy and laboratory automation. Its product portfolio is organised in four pillars: particle detectors (single-anode, segmented-anode, 1D line, TEM, metal-anode MCP, YAG-screen MCP and Channeltron variants plus custom designs), fast-pulse electronics (CFDs, amplifiers, SC-TDC 1000/1100 time-to-digital converters, counters, level translators, frequency dividers, modular high-voltage power supplies), time-of-flight systems (the ToF Momentum Microscope with optional Imaging Spin Detector and L-He cooled Hexapod, and a bolt-on PickUp-ToF spectrometer), and scientific cameras (ReconFlex 800/1920/2400 CMOS cameras with patented real-time blob-mode and super-resolution, and the nanoFLeye fluorescence camera), tied together by the new Lab-IO modular control and acquisition platform and a public scTDC SDK with Python bindings.

The business is built on a deep IP base that includes the patented segmented delayline anode design (DE10335718B4), the patented Au/Ir parallel imaging spin filter (DE102005045622B4), and worldwide exclusive license rights for electron optics developed at Max Planck Institute Halle and the University of Mainz. Revenue is generated primarily from hardware sales of detectors, electronics, cameras and ToF systems, complemented by custom-specific engineering services, one-time software/SDK licenses, licensing royalties from sublicensees (Specs Surface Nano Analytik for KREIOS-MM and METIS, Focus GmbH for NanoESCA spin detectors), and channel-driven sales. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The company sells direct from Mainz in Germany and through an international distributor network covering the Americas (Precision Measurement Technologies), the UK (Torr Scientific), India (Specialise Products), China (Suzshou AISTech and Parlitec), Japan (sales representative Kiyoshi Tabata) and worldwide via RoMo Scientific from Sweden, serving an installed base of more than 1,000 systems at universities, national laboratories and synchrotrons including Fritz Haber, BESSY, DESY, CERN, XFEL, Max Planck, HZB, TU Berlin, Berkeley, KRISS, ISSP, POSTECH, JGU Mainz, Stony Brook and Jülich.

Name

Surface Concept

Legal name

Surface Concept GmbH

Website

https://surface-concept.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surface Concept GmbH is a Mainz-based, owner-managed German high-tech manufactory that designs and produces picosecond time-resolved detectors, fast-pulse electronics, time-of-flight momentum microscopes, and scientific CMOS cameras for universities, synchrotrons, national labs and industrial research customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation

NAICS

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

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth) (HDAHALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO), Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Scientific particle detectors
• Delayline detector systems
• Time-to-digital converters
• Electron momentum microscopes
• Scientific CMOS cameras

Headquarters

HQ city

Mainz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Detectors, Electronics, Cameras, ToF Systems): Primary revenue stream: sale of physical scientific instruments and modules (delayline detectors, MCP detectors, CFDs, TDCs, CMOS cameras, ToF spectrometers and momentum microscopes), shipped from Mainz to research institutions and industrial customers worldwide.
2. Custom-Specific Solutions and Engineering Services: Customer-specific detector, electronics and microscopy solutions developed and produced in-house, often as modules, assemblies or fully automated systems — including Turnkey, plug-and-play installations with software packages and optional HV power supplies.
3. Licensing Royalties (Patented Momentum Microscope Technology): Worldwide exclusive license rights for commercialization of patented momentum microscope electron optics (originally developed at Max Planck Institut Halle and University of Mainz), granted to Specs Surface Nano Analytik GmbH and Focus GmbH via sublicenses.
4. Software and SDK Licenses: Distribution of proprietary software packages and the scTDC SDK (for Windows and Linux, including Python interface) bundled with hardware and supplied as part of detector and camera packages for customer integration.
5. Distribution and Reseller Channel Sales: Sales conducted via a global distributor network (Americas, UK, India, China, Japan, Sweden) in addition to direct Mainz sales, generating channel-driven revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Surface Concept develops, manufactures and sells picosecond time-resolved scientific instruments and high-speed data acquisition electronics. Its product range spans position- and time-sensitive particle detectors (single-anode, segmented-anode and 1D delayline detectors, MCP, YAG-screen and Channeltron detectors, retractable DLDs for TEMs), fast pulse processing electronics (CFDs, amplifiers, Time-to-Digital Converters, pulse counters, level translators, frequency dividers, modular HV power supplies), time-of-flight electron optics systems (the patented ToF Momentum Microscope with Imaging Spin Detector, and the PickUp-ToF bolt-on spectrometer), and scientific CMOS cameras (ReconFlex and nanoFLeye). All products are integrated through the Lab-IO modular control and acquisition system and the scTDC SDK.

Product overview

Surface Concept GmbH operates a modular, platform-plus-modules architecture rather than a single unified product. The portfolio is organised around four core product pillars — (1) particle Detectors (single-anode, segmented-anode, 1D line-resolving, TEM, metal-anode MCP, YAG-screen MCP and Channeltron variants, plus custom designs) for imaging, counting and sub-nanosecond time-resolved detection of electrons, ions, UV and X-rays; (2) Electronics modules (Constant Fraction Discriminators, Analogue Pulse Amplifiers, Time-to-Digital Converters SC-TDC 1000/1100 S- and D-Series, Digital Pulse Counters, Level Translators, Frequency Dividers, and High-Voltage Power Supplies in D-, E- and 19" Rack-Series) that form the Fast Pulse Processing, sub-nanosecond timing and ultra-fast data acquisition backbone; (3) Time-of-Flight Systems and Components, headlined by the patented ToF Momentum Microscope (with Hexapod and Imaging Spin Detector) and the PickUp-ToF Bolt-On Spectrometer for advanced optics and momentum-resolved µ-ARPES; and (4) Cameras for Scientific Applications and Fluorescence Microscopy, namely the Recon*Flex*TM Camera Systems (800/1920/2400) with blob and super-resolution modes and the nanoFLeyeTM camera for localisation and live-cell imaging. All of this is tied together by the newly introduced Lab-IO Modular Control and Acquisition System (a flexible platform for digital, analogue and high-voltage modules accessible via GUI, LabView™ and Python®) and by the cross-product scTDC SDK that provides a unified software/API layer for TDC, DLD and Recon*Flex*TM hardware.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single Anode Delayline Detectors (DLD series: DLD4040, DLD6565, DLD8080, DLD120120) Imaging and time-resolving position-sensitive microchannel plate detectors with a single delayline anode. Provide sub-nanosecond time resolution and detection of electrons, ions, X-rays and UV photons across various active areas, for research and industrial spectroscopy/microscopy customers.
• Segmented Anode Delayline Detectors (DLD-4Q / DLD-8S series) Delayline detectors with segmented delayline anodes (DLD-4Q and DLD-8S variants in 60/80/120 mm formats) that significantly improve multi-hit capability while maintaining excellent time and spatial resolution, for imaging and counting applications.
• Line Position Resolving Delayline Detectors (1D-DLD43_2, 1D-DLD64_2) 1D Delayline Detectors designed for fast and precise line position-resolved detection in hemispherical analyzers and similar line-focused applications.
• Retractable Delayline Detector for Transmission Electron Microscopes (DLD4040-TEM) Retractable microchannel-plate based delayline detector for position- and time-resolved detection of electrons with sub-ns time resolution in Transmission Electron Microscopes, including analogue readout electronics, TDC, software and optional HV power supply as a plug-and-play package.
• Metal Anode Based MCP Detectors (MCPD18, MCPD25, MCPD40, MCPD65, MCPD80) Microchannel plate detectors with single metal anodes available in multiple active-area diameters (18\u201380 mm) for imaging, counting and time-resolved detection of electrons, ions, X-rays and UV.
• YAG Screen Based MCP Detectors Microchannel plate detectors with YAG scintillator screens for phosphor-screen readout of electrons, ions or photons in spectroscopy and microscopy applications.
• Channeltron Detectors (CEM4230) Channeltron electron multipliers for low-dark-count single-particle and photon detection in vacuum-based analytical instruments.
• Custom Specific Delayline Detectors Bespoke high-voltage and custom-anode delayline detectors, including segmented-metal-anode MCP variants and neutron-sensitive detector designs, tailored to individual customer experimental requirements.
• Constant Fraction Discriminators (CFDs) Fast pulse processing CFD modules in stand-alone and NIM-module form factors, used to derive precise timing signals from detector pulses independent of amplitude.
• Analogue Pulse Amplifiers Multi-channel and NIM-module analogue pulse preamplifiers and amplifiers for amplifying detector pulses prior to discrimination and time-to-digital conversion.
• Time-to-Digital Converters (SC-TDC 1000 / 1100 S- and D-Series) Picosecond-precision Time-to-Digital Converters in stand-alone and NIM-module form factors, available with USB, USB 3.0 or Ethernet connectivity for high event-rate time-resolved measurement automation.
• Digital Pulse Counters (4-channel counter devices) Four-channel digital pulse counters for ultrafast pulse counting applications in laboratory automation and analytical instrumentation.
• Level Translators (NIM-TTL / TTL-NIM) Stand-alone and NIM-module logic level translators and pulse converters between NIM, TTL, LVTTL and ECL standards.
• Frequency Dividers Stand-alone frequency dividers (e.g. 16-fold) for dividing and conditioning timing/trigger signals in measurement setups.
• High Voltage Power Supplies (HVPS D-Series, E-Series, 19" Rack-Series) Stable positive and negative high-voltage power supplies, including 19" rack-mount modular detector supplies, for powering MCP detectors and laboratory electron-optics experiments in industrial laboratory and production-process automation contexts.
• ReconFlex CMOS Camera Systems (ReconFlex 800, 1920, 2400) High-performance scientific CMOS cameras (800/1920/2400 models) with integrated real-time blob-mode coordinate detection, a super-resolution algorithm, ultrafast edge and peak finding, coordinate streaming with time stamps, and USB 3 plus GBit LAN interfaces for super-resolution microscopy and machine vision.
• Time-of-Flight Momentum Microscope with Spin Imaging Option Parallel imaging electron momentum microscope based on patented high-end electron optics (licensed from Max Planck Institut Halle / University of Mainz), enabling simultaneous acquisition of energy, momentum and spatial information across the full 2\u03c0 k\u00b2 emission hemisphere, with an L-He cooled 6-axis Hexapod and optional Imaging Spin Detector for time-resolved \u00b5-ARPES and spin detection.
• PickUp-ToF Bolt-On Time-of-Flight Spectrometer Bolt-on Time-of-Flight spectrometer that can be added to existing setups to enable time-of-flight energy analysis alongside Surface Concept's momentum microscope and detector families.
• nanoFLeye Fluorescence Microscopy Camera Specialised CMOS camera for fluorescence microscopy supporting localisation microscopy, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging, optimised to streamline biotechnology workflows.
• Lab-IO Modular Control and Acquisition System Modular laboratory control and acquisition system combining digital and analogue electronic components with advanced high-voltage supplies into a flexible, scalable platform; users configure their setup from a wide range of modules (high-voltage units, pulse generators, current source modules, optional display interfaces) with software access via GUI, LabView and Python.
• scTDC SDK (software development kit for TDC, DLD and ReconFlex cameras) C-based library with Python binding (and Windows/Linux Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 LTS binaries) for developing applications that initialise, configure, run and read data from Surface Concept Time-to-Digital Converters, Delay Line Detector devices and ReconFlex scientific CMOS cameras, including support for blob/super-resolution mode, ROI and frame/exposure control.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,000 Surface Concept systems in operation worldwide
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Scienta OmicronflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2025Co-development program announced 5 December 2025 in Uppsala / Mainz. Scienta Omicron contributes expertise in integrated UHV systems and surface science instrumentation, Surface Concept contributes high-performance Time-of-Flight (ToF) detection technologies, and Prof. Gerd Schönhense (GST mbH) contributes foundational and ongoing innovations in Momentum Microscopy. Together they are laying the groundwork for the next phase of momentum-resolved electron imaging.
• GST mbHflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2025Founded by Momentum Microscopy pioneer Prof. Gerd Schönhense (Surface Concept co-founder). GST mbH is a partner in the strategic alliance (5 December 2025) to deliver advanced TOF MM (Momentum Microscopy) solutions worldwide through the co-development program with Scienta Omicron and Surface Concept.
• Max Planck Institute Halle (Dr. Christian Tusche, Prof. Juergen Kirschner)coreTechnology or IntegrationBetween 2010 and 2016, Dr. Christian Tusche, Prof. Dr. Juergen Kirschner and colleagues at the Max Planck Institute Halle developed revolutionary improved electron optics for time-of-flight or hemisphere energy analyzers (patents DE102013005173C5, DE102014018555B3 and DE102017126882B3). Surface Concept GmbH holds the worldwide exclusive license rights for the commercialisation of these momentum microscopes, and all current momentum microscopes are based on this licensed development.
• University of Mainz (Prof. Dr. Gerd Schoenhense)coreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing research relationship: original time-resolved electron microscopy and spectroscopy developments took place at the University of Mainz from 1996. Surface Concept was founded as a spin-off in 2001 by Dr. Andreas Oelsner and Prof. Dr. Gerd Schönhense. University of Mainz also co-developed improved ToF Momentum Microscope Hexapod cooling (lowest temperature below 9 K).
• Specs Surface Nano Analytik GmbH (Berlin)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHolds a sublicense granted by Surface Concept GmbH to produce and market a special version of the momentum microscope under the product name KREIOS-MM. Also markets the METIS product, which is based on the patented core of the Surface Concept k-ToF momentum microscope, developed and produced by Surface Concept.
• Focus GmbH (Huenstetten)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHolds a sublicense granted by Surface Concept GmbH to produce imaging spin detectors for its NanoESCA momentum microscopes, based on Surface Concept's patented spin detector design.
• Precision Measurement Technologies (PMT, Clearwater FL, USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for the Americas region: 4400 140th Avenue North, Suite 100, Clearwater, FL 33762, USA. Provides sales and support to customers in the USA, Canada and Latin America (phone +1 727 532 6144, web www.pmt-fl.com).
• Torr Scientific Ltd. (UK)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for the United Kingdom: Unit 11 Pebsham Rural Business Centre, Pebsham Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 2RZ. Handles UK sales and customer support (phone +44 1424 225228, web www.torrscientific.co.uk).
• Specialise Products Pvt Ltd. (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for India: B 502, EKLVYA CHSL, Plot 69 D/J/K, Sector 21, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210 (phone +91 22 41318330, web www.specialiseproducts.com).
• Suzshou AISTech Co. LTD (China)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor in China: 5th Floor, Block C, Building 1, Yangtze River Delta R&D Center, No. 286 Qinglonggang Road, High-Speed Rail New Town, Xiangcheng, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215133. Strategic collaboration announced in 2024 to strengthen Surface Concept's presence in China and tailor offerings to local market needs (web www.ais-tech.cn).
• Parlitec Technology Co. LTD (China)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor in China: Building 1, Libayuann south road, Fangshan district, Beijing (phone +85 138 111 817 95, web www.parlitec.com).
• Kiyoshi Tabata (Surface Concept Sales Representative, Japan)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurface Concept sales representative in Japan, available anywhere in the country; phone +81 907118 8550, fax +49 6131 627 16 29.
• RoMo Scientific (Sweden, worldwide)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide distributor: Hammarbygatan 36, 753 24 Uppsala, Sweden (phone +46 70 325 2345, web www.romoscientific.se).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Becker & Hickl GmbH: Specialist in TCSPC (time-correlated single photon counting) electronics, hybrid detectors, and fluorescence lifetime instrumentation that overlaps with Surface Concept's TDC, CFD, and fluorescence microscopy product lines.
• Scienta Omicron: Dominant supplier of integrated UHV surface-science systems and the December 2025 strategic co-development partner for Surface Concept's next-generation Momentum Microscopy solution; operates as both peer and channel for momentum-microscope electron optics.
• PicoQuant: Berlin-based specialist in picosecond pulsed diodes, TCSPC electronics and single-photon detectors, competing in the same time-resolved fluorescence/biophotonics niche and with overlapping customer segments.
• Specs Surface Nano Analytik GmbH: Holds a Surface Concept sublicense to produce and market the KREIOS-MM momentum microscope and METIS product based on Surface Concept's patented k-ToF momentum microscope core — a direct counterpart on the same physics platform.
• Focus GmbH: Produces imaging spin detectors for NanoESCA momentum microscopes under a Surface Concept sublicense based on the same patented spin detector design, making it a directly comparable niche competitor in spin-resolved photoemission instrumentation.

Broad incumbents

• Photonis (Exosens): Large incumbent manufacturer of microchannel plate (MCP) detectors and related particle/photon detection components that overlap with Surface Concept's MCP and Channeltron detector lines in scientific and industrial instrumentation markets.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Global leader in photonics and scientific detectors (including CMOS cameras and photodetectors) that competes broadly with Surface Concept's CMOS scientific camera and detector offerings, though across a much larger and more diversified portfolio.
• Andor Technology (Oxford Instruments): Major supplier of scientific CMOS, EMCCD and sCMOS cameras for microscopy and physical sciences, competing with Surface Concept in the camera pillar and serving overlapping photon/electron science customers.
• Teledyne Princeton Instruments: Established scientific imaging and spectroscopy camera manufacturer offering scientific CMOS and CCD cameras that overlap with Surface Concept's ReconFlexTM and nanoFLeyeTM product families, particularly for spectroscopy and microscopy applications.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Electron Microscopy): Operates the dominant installed base of transmission and scanning electron microscopes into which Surface Concept's retractable DLD detectors integrate; a key channel and potential substitute for advanced time-resolved EM detection.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surface-concept

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Surface Concept