The team behind Quantum Beam Optics Sweden AB is made up of Fredrik Eriksson, Naureen Ghafoor, Jens Birch, Gio Fornell and Anton Zubayer. Together they have a long history of research and development in advanced multilayer X-ray and neutron optics through work at the Thin Film Physics Division within the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Linköping University.
"Over the years, we have been at the forefront of technology advancements in this field. The recognition we have received from the global neutron scattering community, together with a growing interest from the neutron optics industry, inspired us to take the next step and establish Quantum Beam Optics Sweden AB (QBO)", says associate professor Fredrik Eriksson.
By founding QBO, the teams aim is to commercialize their innovations and provide solutions that meet the demand for high-quality neutron optics worldwide. This innovation project is supported by LiU Holding through LiU Invest and LEAD.
Why have you started the company?
We founded Quantum Beam Optics to bring our advanced multilayer neutron optics technology to the international market. Our technology offers significant advancements, such as higher reflectivity and enhanced spin polarization, which are critical for neutron scattering applications. Although our new technology represents an investment, its more efficient neutron usage offers substantial economic advantages for the facilities. This combination of performance and cost-effectiveness makes our solutions particularly attractive for leading facilities like the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, as well as other neutron scattering facilities globally. Establishing QBO allows us to collaborate more effectively with leading optics manufacturers, to facilitate the integration of our innovations into their production processes and push the boundaries of neutron optics performance.
What will you sell and provide?
Initially, we will offer consultancy services, focusing on providing both scientific and technical expertise to neutron optics manufacturers. Our goal is to help these companies replicate the high-performance results we have achieved on a lab scale in large-area neutron optics. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we aim to support their efforts in achieving the same level of optical performance in their products.
Why do neutron optics manufacturers need your services?
While some manufacturers possess the capability to further develop and implement advanced neutron optics technologies independently, others face challenges due to gaps in specific scientific or technical expertise. Our consultancy will provide the guidance needed to accelerate their development processes, enabling them to produce higher-performance optics more quickly. This, in turn, will allow innovation in optical and instrument design, reduce time-to-market, and ultimately increase profitability for the manufacturers. In the future, QBO may expand its services to include technology licensing or even direct manufacturing of optics, offering further value to the industry.
