Swiss engineering and technology company Qnami develops nanoscale quantum imaging probes to promote the commercialization of quantum sensing technology | Top 100 Swiss Innovators
Image source: Qnami
The Swiss engineering and technology company Qnami was founded in 2017 and is committed to developing nanoscale quantum imaging probes. Made of artificial diamond, this probe can obtain the morphological and magnetic field signals of objects at the nanoscale through quantum sensing technology. Combined with the complete magnetometer system developed by the company, it can provide cutting - edge scientific instruments and analysis solutions for applications in the fields of nanotechnology, life sciences, and earth sciences.
Qnami was jointly founded by four scientists. Among them, Patrick Maletinsky is the company's chief scientist. He holds a doctorate from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, was a post - doctoral research scholar at Harvard University, and currently serves as a professor at the University of Basel and the head of the Quantum Sensing Laboratory in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel. Mathieu Munsch is the company's chief executive officer. He holds a doctorate from the Néel Institute in Grenoble, was a post - doctoral researcher at the University of Basel, and served as a member of the strategic and industrial committee in the European Quantum Flagship program. Felipe Favaro is the company's chief technology officer. He holds a doctorate from the University of Stuttgart, and his main research direction is diamond NV (Nitrogen - Vacancy) color centers and diamond manufacturing. He was a post - doctoral researcher at the University of Basel, researching the positioning of diamond NV color center scanning probes. Alexander Stark is the company's chief information officer. He holds a doctorate in physics from the Technical University of Denmark and has cross - professional knowledge in hardware, software, and quantum technology.
Image source: Qnami
In modern electronic technology, the magnetic properties of materials are very important, especially in the fields of quantum computing and spintronic devices (such as magnetoresistive random - access memory (MRAM)). However, people have limited knowledge and difficulty in controlling the magnetic properties of materials, especially at the sub - micron scale. The magnetic imaging probes mainly used in the past could only measure macroscopic average effects or rely on indirect simulation calculations and were unable to control material design and manufacturing processes at the sub - micron scale. In contrast, quantum imaging probes can perform nanoscale sensing and measurement, which helps directly visualize any subtle changes in the design or manufacturing process, guide product development, and improve manufacturing yield. Currently, Bosch, Thales Group in France, and Lockheed Martin in the United States have all launched businesses in the field of quantum sensing. Their developed products are applied in the fields of telecommunications, automotive, materials, and semiconductors and are expected to change the landscape of the life sciences field.
Image source: Qnami
Qnami has developed a nanoscale quantum imaging probe made of artificial diamond. Based on quantum sensing technology, it can measure substances that were previously immeasurable by controlling and measuring the state of single electrons. Qnami provides a complete system including an imaging probe, a magnetometer, and analysis software. This system is first applied in research laboratories and semiconductor manufacturers for nanoscale measurement of components and can be extended to the design and production of quantum computers and spintronic devices.
Quantum sensing technology uses atomic defects (i.e., NV color centers) in diamond to measure magnetic fields. The defect sites in the crystal that selectively absorb visible light are called color centers. The nitrogen - vacancy (Nitrogen - Vacancy, NV) color center in diamond is a kind of luminescent point defect in diamond, formed by a nitrogen atom replacing a carbon atom and forming a bond with a neighboring vacancy. As a solid - state quantum system, the NV color center has a spin - triplet ground state, a long coherence time (in the millisecond range), and optical manipulation characteristics at room temperature. It is highly sensitive to physical quantities such as external magnetic fields, temperature, and electric fields and can be easily observed in its radio - frequency spectrum through optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy to obtain the morphology and surface magnetic field of the sample with nanoscale resolution. Based on the above characteristics, NV color centers are applied in fields such as nanoscale magnetic field measurement, quantum computing logic gate operations, and quantum communication repeaters.
Based on the above technical principles, Qnami has developed an NV artificial diamond nanoscale quantum imaging probe. Diamond is strong and durable, with high inertness and high biocompatibility, and can perform undisturbed measurements in extreme environments. Synthetic diamond is manufactured in a growth chamber through plasma - assisted chemical vapor deposition technology. The imaging nanoprobe made of artificial diamond is Qnami's core patent.
In combination with the imaging probe, Qnami has developed a complete measurement system including an imaging probe, a magnetometer, and analysis software. In 2019, Qnami launched its first commercial NV magnetometer, which is also the first NV magnetometer for analyzing magnetic materials at the atomic scale. This magnetometer can map various magnetic signals to a single atomic layer, providing high - precision images at the nanoscale, helping users directly observe the microscopic characteristics and changes of samples, and supporting operation in low - temperature environments. The instrument can also be automated, and the probe and sample can be replaced within a few minutes without the user needing to have quantum - related professional knowledge. At the same time, its flexible design reserves space for future adjustments, expansions, and function upgrades for various uses. In terms of software, Qnami's analysis software is built on the open - source Qudi framework and is equipped with an automatic fluorescence tracking mode. It can perform simultaneous mapping of morphology and magnetic fields, intuitively guiding users through different measurement modes from rapid sample preview to detailed analysis, and supporting users to write custom scripts and run customized protocols.
Qnami's system can be applied in the fields of materials, electromagnetics, and dynamics. In the field of materials, the system can be used to study multiferroic materials represented by bismuth ferrite (BFO) and the current and optical characteristics of two - dimensional materials used in semiconductor device manufacturing. In the field of electromagnetics, the system can be used to study magnetic memories, antiferromagnets, nanomagnets, and their currents. In the field of dynamics, the system can be used to study spin waves and the development of related devices.
In May 2021, Qnami completed a Series A financing of 4 million Swiss francs, led by Runa Capital and SIT Capital, with participation from Quantonation, Verve Ventures, Zürcher Kantonalbank, etc. The funds are planned to be used to promote technology R & D and equipment production. In the future, Qnami will continue to expand the application of its products in fields such as quantum computing, scientific research, and semiconductors.
Qnami is one of the companies on the "TOP 100 Swiss Startups" list in 2022. The "TOP 100 Swiss Startups" list brings together the best Swiss - made start - up and growth - stage technology innovation companies and is the most internationally influential benchmark list in the Swiss technology innovation field. Since 2011, this list has selected 100 of the most innovative Swiss companies with the best market prospects and 25 Swiss growth - stage companies with the greatest unicorn potential across Switzerland each year, covering fields such as life sciences, engineering machinery, robotics, information and communication, low - carbon technology, and food technology. The "TOP 100 Swiss Startups" and its series of brand activities are iconic events in the Swiss innovation ecosystem, representing the highest level of Swiss innovation and the forefront of international investment and financing.
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