XRnanotech Acquires Karlsruhe-Based Company Microworks

28.10.2024

XRnanotech, a leading Swiss nanotechnology company, acquires Microworks, an innovative manufacturer of standardized and custom products for non-destructive testing and quality control using X-rays. With the acquisition, XRnanotech strengthens its expertise in lithography processes and electroplating, expanding its portfolio to include microstructured products, which are used in areas such as X-ray imaging.

XRnanotech AG is an award-winning Swiss high-tech start-up, founded as a spin-off from the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen by physicist Dr. Florian Döring, MBA. With 14 employees, the company based at the Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare manufactures innovative nanostructures and optics with outstanding precision for research institutions and high-tech companies worldwide. The applications of their products range from X-ray microscopy to optical communications and the semiconductor sector.

Microworks began 15 years ago by producing high-quality watch parts using X-ray lithography, then expanded into X-ray optical gratings and, most recently, into TALINT, an X-ray interferometer. Microworks is located near the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany and currently employs 7 people. Under the management of CEO Dr. Florian Döring, both companies will leverage their synergies to offer customized solutions for new applications.

Microworks’ products complement XRnanotech’s established portfolio in the micrometer range. This enables the Swiss high-tech company to serve customers focused on microstructures and X-ray imaging. “Through the planned integration while maintaining the Karlsruhe location, our customers will benefit from the technical expertise of both companies,” says CEO Dr. Florian Döring. “Our product range expands significantly, and we can provide customized solutions for new applications.” Dr. Joachim Schulz, founder of Microworks, adds: “With this acquisition, we ensure continuity for our existing customers while unlocking various synergy effects for new clients and new markets.”

X-ray Lithography Enables Optics with High Aspect Ratios

The production of the microstructures is based on various lithography processes, particularly Deep X-ray Lithography. This process allows for structures that are 20 times taller than wide – in some cases, even up to 50 to 100 times. This high aspect ratio enables exceptional performance of Karlsruhe’s X-ray optics. Additionally, this method results in very smooth sidewalls, which is particularly important for optical applications in the visible and infrared spectrum. Other lithography processes, such as electron beam, UV, and 2-photon lithography, along with gold, nickel, and nickel alloy electroplating, are also part of Microworks’ technology portfolio.

High-Precision Interferometry with TALINT

In addition to high-quality X-ray optical components such as apertures, gratings, X-ray lenses, beam stops, and resolution targets, XRnanotech will now also offer the TALINT series X-ray interferometers. TALINT allows imaging in three modes: absorption, phase contrast, and dark-field contrast. “This technology is unique worldwide, enabling the extraction of significantly more structural information from X-ray images,” says Dr. Joachim Schulz. “We are very excited that, with XRnanotech’s help, even more international customers will benefit from our technology.”

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Picture: Microworks TALINT

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