ZURICH INSTRUMENTS AG

Their core work

Zurich Instruments AG is a Swiss SME that develops precision measurement instruments and control electronics for quantum computing and quantum engineering research. In H2020 projects, they contribute specialized hardware — particularly control and readout systems for superconducting quantum circuits, cryoelectronics, and quantum-limited amplification. Their role is that of a technology provider supplying the instrumentation layer that experimental quantum labs need to operate and scale their qubit systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest involvement (GreQuE, 2017) was broadly positioned around quantum engineering training, spanning physics, nanotechnologies, and computer sciences — suggesting an industry partner lending equipment and expertise to doctoral education. By 2018-2020 (OpenSuperQ, SuperQuLAN), the focus sharpened dramatically toward superconducting quantum computing hardware: qubit control, quantum-limited amplification, Josephson junctions, and cryoelectronics. The trajectory shows a clear move from general quantum engineering support toward deep specialization in the superconducting quantum computing stack.

Zurich Instruments is concentrating on becoming the go-to instrumentation provider for Europe's superconducting quantum computing ecosystem, moving from general lab tools toward integrated quantum control solutions.

How they like to work

Zurich Instruments joins consortia as a participant or third-party partner — never as coordinator — which is typical of an equipment company that provides critical technology components without driving the research agenda. Across 3 projects they have worked with 35 unique partners in 9 countries, indicating they connect into large, multinational research consortia. Their role is consistent: the instrumentation specialist that multiple leading quantum labs want in their consortium.

Connected to 35 consortium partners across 9 countries, primarily through flagship European quantum computing initiatives. Their network spans major quantum research hubs in Western Europe, reflecting the geography of Europe's superconducting qubit community.

What sets them apart

Zurich Instruments occupies a rare niche as a commercial SME building the actual measurement and control hardware that quantum computing experiments depend on — most consortium partners are universities or research institutes. This makes them a bridge between lab-scale research and industrialized quantum technology, offering partners not just instrumentation but a path toward scalable, commercially supported quantum control systems. For consortium builders, they bring industry-grade engineering and product development capability that academic partners typically lack.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OpenSuperQ
  Flagship EU quantum computing project building an open superconducting quantum computer, with Zurich Instruments receiving EUR 1.58M — their largest H2020 contribution by far.
• SuperQuLAN
  Focused on quantum networking between superconducting qubits, representing a forward-looking extension from single-processor quantum computing to distributed quantum systems.