What Focus does

Focus, a member of SPECSGROUP, is a German manufacturer of high-precision scientific instruments for electron spectroscopy and surface analysis, founded in 1990 and operating as the "BU FOCUS" business unit of SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH, headquartered in Hünstetten, Germany. The company's product portfolio spans four interrelated lines: (1) photoemission electron microscopes — NanoESCA MARIS, TOF MARIS, IEF PEEM, and HAXPEEM — offering sub-35 nm lateral resolution with momentum-space and energy-resolved imaging modes; (2) spin-polarization detectors — FERRUM (VLEED-based), Imaging Spin Filter (Au/Ir), and SEMPA-SPLEED — for spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy; (3) VUV photon sources — HIS 13, HIS 14 HD, HIS Mono (with patented zone-plate monochromator), and Focused Hg Source — for UPS, ARPES, and µ-ARPES excitation; and (4) UHV e-beam evaporators (EFM 3 family variants and EFM-H atomic hydrogen source) with companion EVC power supplies and the LabVIEW-based Epitass software stack for thin-film deposition. Focus holds multiple patents including NanoESCA (2005), the HIS Mono zone-plate arrangement, and a sub-licensed German patent (DE102005045622B4) for the Imaging 2D Spinfilter from Surface Concept GmbH.

The company operates a B2B enterprise field-sales model selling high-value, technically specified instruments directly to academic and government research institutions worldwide, including Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung Stuttgart, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, ELI-ALPS, and the University of Nottingham. Distribution runs through Focus's own sales team, the SPECSGROUP worldwide infrastructure (alongside sister brands SPECS, Nanonis, and Enviro), and a channel partnership with ScientaOmicron for NanoESCA turn-key solutions and FERRUM integration into third-party ARPES spectrometers. Revenue is generated through hardware sales, recurring spare parts and consumables (including crucibles and barrel connectors), and long-tail service contracts covering "all EFMs ever built since 1990," with public pricing not disclosed. The company is privately held at 11–50 employees, has no disclosed funding rounds, and reports no public revenue; it is led by Managing Director Dr. Andreas Thissen of SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH.

Name

Focus

Legal name

SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH

Website

https://focus-gmbh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Focus, a member of SPECSGROUP, is a German manufacturer of electron spectrometers, photoemission electron microscopes, spin detectors, VUV photon sources, ion sources, and UHV evaporators for surface science research at academic and government institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electron Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB)

Keywords

• Electron spectroscopy instruments
• Surface analysis equipment
• Photoemission electron microscopy
• Thin film deposition
• Spin polarization detection

Headquarters

HQ city

Haunstetten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instruments: Sale of high-value scientific instruments including NanoESCA, TOF-PEEM, VUV photon sources, electron beam evaporators, ion sources, and spin detection systems. Products are precision laboratory equipment for surface science research.
2. Spare Parts & Consumables: Sale of spare parts, crucibles, barrel connectors, and components for EFM evaporators. Services for all EFMs ever built since 1990.
3. Power Supplies & Electronics: EVC power supplies (EVC 100L, EVC 100, EVC 100s, EVC 300, EVC 300s, EVC 300i) with Epitass and MultiEpitass software for controlling evaporators.
4. Service & Support: Service and technical support for all instruments, including installation, calibration, and maintenance services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Focus manufactures electron spectrometers and surface analysis instruments for ultra-high-vacuum materials research, including photoemission electron microscopes (PEEM, NanoESCA, TOF-MARIS), VLEED-based spin polarization detectors (FERRUM), VUV photon sources (HIS 13, HIS 14 HD), UHV electron beam evaporators (EFM series) and ion sources (FDG). Instruments are sold as precision laboratory equipment requiring technical consultation and custom configuration.

Product overview

Focus, a member of SPECSGROUP, is a manufacturer of technological components for Electron Spectroscopy in Surface Science, established in 1990. The product portfolio centers on four main categories: (1) Photoemission electron microscopes (NanoESCA MARIS, TOF MARIS, IEF PEEM, HAXPEEM) for real-space and momentum microscopy with < 35 nm lateral resolution; (2) Spin analysis detectors (FERRUM, SEMPA-SPLEED, Imaging Spin Filter Au/Ir) for spin-polarized measurements; (3) VUV photon sources (HIS 13, HIS 14 HD, HIS Mono, Focused Hg Source) for photoelectron spectroscopy excitation; and (4) UHV electron beam evaporators (EFM 3, 3s, 3i, 3T, 3Ts, 4, EFM-H) with companion EVC power supplies and Epitass software for thin film deposition. These instruments share a common focus on ultra-high vacuum surface science applications including band structure analysis, ARPES, SARPES, momentum microscopy, and materials research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NanoESCA MARIS: Next Generation Photoemission Tool for Real- and Momentum Microscopy with improved momentum space imaging resolution.
• TOF MARIS
• HIS 14 HD
• HIS 13
• HIS Mono
• FERRUM
• SEMPA-SPLEED
• Imaging Spin Filter (Au/Ir)
• FDG 150
• FDG 15
• EFM Evaporators

Products and services

• NanoESCA MARIS Next-generation photoemission analyzer for real-space and momentum microscopy with <35 nm lateral resolution, <0.005 Å-1 momentum resolution, and <25 meV energy resolution in aberration-corrected and double-dispersive imaging modes.
• TOF MARIS Time-of-Flight Photoemission Electron Microscope combining a microscopy lens with a time-of-flight energy filter for parallel detection of angular/lateral electron distributions at <35 nm lateral, <5 mÅ-1 momentum, and <30 meV energy resolution.
• IEF PEEM Photoemission Electron Microscope with Imaging Energy Filter providing work-function maps and element-specific mapping, combinable with Time-of-Flight and angular imaging optics for momentum microscopy.
• HAXPEEM Hard X-ray Photoemission Electron Microscope working with electron kinetic energies up to 10 keV, enabling bulk-sensitive electronic-structure studies with high lateral resolution.
• FERRUM Spin Detector VLEED-based spin polarization detector with an ultimate Figure of Merit of 8.8×10^-3 for spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (SARPES), designed for user-friendly operation without requiring expert knowledge.
• SEMPA-SPLEED Spin-polarized scanning electron microscopy detector based on SPLEED design, providing magnetic domain imaging with lateral resolution down to 10 nm in state-of-the-art UHV SEMs.
• Imaging Spin Filter (Au/Ir) 2D imaging spin filter module for NanoESCA III using Au/Ir crystal scattering, offering Sherman function >60%, reflectivity >1%, and more than 10,000 parallel detection channels with stable scattering over weeks.
• HIS 13 VUV Source High-Intensity Vacuum Ultra-Violet source with robust design and discharge regulation, supporting He I/II, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe discharge gases with optional monochromator and focusing-mirror upgrades.
• HIS 14 HD VUV Source High-Density VUV source with focusing mirror providing 180 µm spot size and photon density up to 1.1×10^13 Ph/mm²/s, designed for high-resolution ARPES approaching synchrotron-class performance.
• HIS Mono VUV Monochromator VUV monochromator based on a patented zone-plate arrangement that separates He I (21.2 eV) and He II (40.8 eV) emission lines, removing satellite-induced ghost peaks for ghost-free ARPES and momentum microscopy.
• Focused Hg UV Source Mercury arc UV source for PEEM and NanoESCA real-space navigation combined with ARPES, featuring continuum emission, water cooling, IR heat filter, and optional polarization filter.
• FDG 15 Ion Source Hot filament ion source for sample cleaning, XPS depth profiling, ISS/LEIS, and charge neutralization, with spot size down to 300 µm, differential pumping, and operation down to 10 eV kinetic energy.
• FDG 150 Ion Source Fine Focus Scanning Ion Source delivering <150 µm spot size at 50 mm working distance, with scanning up to 10×10 mm, keystone correction, and integrated raster generator for homogeneous XPS depth profiling.
• EFM 3 Electron Beam Evaporator Classic UHV electron beam evaporator with integrated flux monitor, operating from 100 to 3500°C for sub-monolayer to multilayer thin-film growth under ultra-high vacuum.
• EFM 3s Electron Beam Evaporator EFM 3 variant with ion-suppressor electrode producing a 100% neutral beam, preventing high-energy ions from creating substrate defects during thin-film growth.
• EFM 3i Electron Beam Evaporator EFM variant with Ion-Beam-Assisted Deposition (IBAD) using an electrostatic lens for controlled ion focusing, enabling layer-by-layer thin-film growth.
• EFM 3T Triple Electron Beam Evaporator Triple UHV evaporator with three independent cells for sequential or co-deposition of up to three materials, each with separate filament, flux monitor, and multi-position shutter.
• EFM 3Ts Triple Evaporator with Ion Suppression EFM 3T variant with ion suppression producing a 100% neutral beam during compound growth, combining triple-cell evaporation with ion-free deposition.
• EFM 4 Large-Sample Evaporator Large-sample UHV evaporator for deposition on substrates up to 50 mm in diameter, with three exchangeable apertures providing evaporation areas up to 133 mm.
• EFM-H Atomic Hydrogen Source Atomic hydrogen source based on the EFM 3 design for semiconductor surface cleaning, etching, passivation, and thin-film growth improvement, with cracking efficiency close to 100%.
• EVC Power Supplies and Epitass Software Microprocessor-controlled EVC power supplies (EVC 100L, EVC 100s, EVC 300-2/300s-2, EVC 300i) paired with LabVIEW-based Epitass and MultiEpitass software for automated thin-film deposition, flux regulation, and shutter automation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lateral resolution down to 35nm in real-space imaging
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Surface Concept GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 November 2019Agreement for legal and technical rights to the 2D Spinfilter patent (German Patent DE102005045622B4). Focus manufactures and sells the Imaging 2D Spinfilter as an official product for NanoESCA.
• SPECSGROUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus is a member of SPECSGROUP, joining leading brands SPECS, Focus, Nanonis and Enviro in surface analytical instrumentation. SPECSGROUP provides worldwide sales and service infrastructure, scientific network, and operational backbone for the four brands.
• ScientaOmicroncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientaOmicron serves as sales partner for NanoESCA turn-key solutions. The Imaging 2D Spinfilter can be ordered as part of NanoESCA turn-key solution via ScientaOmicron. Focus also provides FERRUM spin detector for integration into ScientaOmicron ARPES spectrometers.
• SPEC Surface Nano Analysis GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH - BU FOCUS is the company responsible for all physics and related hardware of Focus instruments. Located in Hünstetten, Germany.
• NanonisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of SPECSGROUP alongside SPECS, Focus, Enviro. Nanonis is another brand in the surface analytical instrumentation group.
• EnvirominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of SPECSGROUP alongside SPECS, Focus, Nanonis. Enviro is another brand in the surface analytical instrumentation group.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Staib Instruments: Staib Instruments supplies electron analyzers, RHEED systems, and surface analysis components for UHV applications — directly comparable to Focus's electron spectroscopy analyzers, PEEMs, and spin detectors in academic and industrial surface science labs.
• ScientaOmicron: ScientaOmicron is the most directly comparable peer — both build photoelectron spectroscopy systems, ARPES analyzers, and UHV surface science instrumentation. ScientaOmicron is also Focus's distribution partner, reselling NanoESCA turn-key solutions and integrating the FERRUM detector into ScientaOmicron spectrometers, putting both companies in identical customer RFPs.
• SPECS (Surface Nano Analysis): Sister brand under SPECSGROUP building NAP-XPS, ARPES, and surface analysis systems (e.g., EnviroESCA). Overlaps with Focus in photoelectron spectroscopy for surface science and shares a common parent, sales force, and customer base, making the product lines competing for the same installed base.
• Kratos Analytical: Kratos manufactures XPS and surface analysis instruments used in the same surface science customer base as Focus. Its AXIS series competes for thin-film and materials characterization budgets and overlaps in XPS depth profiling use cases served by Focus's FDG ion sources and PEEM platforms.
• VG Scienta: VG Scienta supplies hemispherical electron analyzers and ARPES systems for synchrotron and lab-based photoemission, directly overlapping with Focus's NanoESCA and TOF MARIS analyzers in band structure and momentum microscopy research applications.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher is the dominant incumbent in analytical instruments, offering XPS (Thermo Scientific), electron microscopy, and a wide scientific instruments portfolio. While not a specialist in momentum microscopy or spin detection, it competes for the same surface analysis budgets at large research institutions and serves as the obvious strategic acquirer of niche players like Focus.
• Bruker: Bruker is a broad analytical instrument incumbent offering mass spectrometry, electron microscopy (through the former Bruker Nano Surfaces division), and surface characterization tools. Competes for similar budgets in materials research labs and overlaps with Focus via electron-based analytical techniques.
• JEOL: JEOL supplies electron microscopes (SEM, TEM, AES) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy instruments used in surface analysis labs worldwide. While its product set is broader and more microscopy-centric, it competes with Focus's electron-based instruments for materials characterization RFPs in industrial and academic settings.

Emerging players

• Nanonis (SPECSGROUP sister brand): Nanonis, the fourth SPECSGROUP brand, makes SPM/scantip control electronics and is sold into the same UHV surface science customer base — though it does not overlap directly with Focus's PEEM/ARPES product line. Useful as an adjacent ecosystem peer within the same go-to-market motion.

Others

• RIKEN (Synchrotron Radiation Lab / peer research ecosystem): Large public research institutions such as RIKEN, Elettra, and Max-Planck are both Focus's customers and owners/operators of competing beamline infrastructure. They represent an ecosystem of technology adopters and evaluators — adjacent rather than directly competitive but critical context for the Focus go-to-market landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaRpMJ0-dbgFrXpflB8X7QQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/focus-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Focus