NORSK ELEKTRO OPTIKK AS

Their core work

Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO) is a Norwegian SME that develops advanced electro-optical imaging and detection systems, with deep expertise in infrared detector technology and hyperspectral imaging. They design and build specialized SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) focal plane arrays for space applications, as well as X-ray and hyperspectral instruments for thin-film quality inspection in manufacturing. Their work spans from detector component development to complete imaging systems used in space observation, industrial quality control, and cultural heritage analysis.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NEO's early H2020 work (2016–2018) centered on infrared detector hardware — specifically SWIR focal plane arrays, III-V semiconductor materials, and molecular beam epitaxy wafer growth for space applications. By 2019–2023, they shifted toward complete imaging systems and applications: hyperspectral imaging, X-ray analysis for manufacturing quality control, and photonics applied to cultural heritage. The trajectory is clear — moving from component-level detector R&D toward integrated imaging solutions serving diverse end-use sectors.

NEO is evolving from a detector component specialist into a provider of complete imaging and inspection solutions, making them increasingly relevant for industrial quality control and applied measurement projects.

How they like to work

NEO consistently joins projects as a participant or third party rather than leading them — they have zero coordinator roles across four projects. With 47 unique partners across 12 countries, they integrate into diverse consortia as a specialist technology contributor. This pattern suggests they are a reliable technical partner that brings niche hardware and imaging capabilities to larger research efforts without seeking the administrative overhead of coordination.

NEO has built a broad European network of 47 partners across 12 countries through just four projects, indicating they join well-connected consortia. Their partnerships span space, photonics, manufacturing, and cultural heritage communities.

What sets them apart

NEO occupies a rare niche as a Norwegian SME that combines infrared detector manufacturing expertise with applied hyperspectral and X-ray imaging capabilities. Few companies bridge the gap between semiconductor-level detector fabrication (SWIR, HgCdTe, InGaAs) and end-to-end imaging systems for quality inspection. For consortium builders, NEO offers hardware credibility in optical sensing with proven ability to adapt their technology across very different domains — from space observation to cultural heritage to industrial manufacturing.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NanoQI
  Their largest funded project (EUR 404,000), combining X-ray and hyperspectral imaging for industrial thin-film inspection — representing their strategic move into manufacturing applications.
• SWIRup
  Core to their identity as a detector company, developing next-generation SWIR focal plane arrays specifically for space applications with EUR 384,739 in funding.
• CHANGE
  Demonstrates versatility — applying photonics and imaging expertise to cultural heritage preservation, an unusual domain for a detector company.