User Stories
This page gathers all interviews featured in our quarterly newsletters: customers, project partners, collaborators – we are always interested in hearing from those with whom we work.
Pushing the Limits of Quantum Sensing: Uncovering Axion Dark Matter

“I’m developing new quantum sensors for axion dark matter experiments. The goal is to build devices sensitive enough to detect the tiny signals that dark matter might produce. ”
Beyond Spintronics: Exploring Orbital Transport for Energy-Efficient Electronic Devices

“The main purpose of my investigation is to shed some light on the very fundamental aspects of the origin of orbital currents, with particular care about their use to build energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable electronic devices.”
Creating the Nodes of the Quantum Internet: A Journey Through Quantum Memories and Entanglement Distribution

“My research focuses on quantum memories based on crystals doped with rare-earth ions. These crystals … build an elementary node of a quantum network, allowing us to distribute entanglement over large distances and forming the basis of a future quantum internet.”
Broadband Optical Noise Analysis of LEDs with the MFLI Lock-in Amplifier

“For the high-frequency measurements, a Zurich Instruments MFLI Lock-in Amplifier enabled precise characterization from the kHz to MHz ranges. The MFLI has excellent noise characteristics compared to other lock-in amplifiers, as well as a large dynamic range, which is important for studying 1/f noise.”
A Simple Path to Fast Graphene Qubit Readout: QPC Sensor in a Resonant Circuit

“The Zurich Instruments 600 MHz UHFLI Lock-in Amplifier plays a central role in this setup […]. It helps significantly reduce the complexity of the experimental setup compared to home-built analog demodulation circuits.”
From Bulky Optics to On-Chip Integration: A Portable Diamond-NV Magnetic Field Camera

“...our camera resolves the magnetic field gradient [...]. These results establish that robust, compact, chip‑integrated diamond‑NV sensors can perform magnetic field imaging without moving components or extensive microscope optics.”
Ultrasound Pulse-Echo Measurements with the GHFLI Lock-in Amplifier for the Investigation of Superconductors

“The high sensitivity, fast demodulation bandwidth and high data transfer rate of the GHFLI are crucial for this experiment, as it requires the measurement of short pulses since the time between the generated pulse and the echoes is very short.”
Analyzing Art Like the Mona Lisa: Non-Destructive, Non-Invasive, and Now Portable With LFEPR

“Our solution was to develop the EPR Mobile Universal Surface Explorer (MOUSE)… which can be used to non-invasively and non-destructively analyze a small region of a painting, whether in a laboratory or on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.Sample size is no longer a limitation.”
Parallel MRI: Unlocking Multinuclear Imaging with a Single Channel

“We developed a hardware-efficient method for simultaneous multinuclear MRI using a single RF transmit/receive channel.”
From Pork Chops to Pathology: A Hands-On Approach to Cancer Research

“What makes this research area important is its potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling more precise surgeries.”
From Molecular Spins to Fault-Tolerant Qudits: Dr. Junjie Liu’s Path to Scalable Quantum Memory

“My research focuses on [...] quantum spin systems at the (sub)nanometre scale [...] and their applications in spintronics. I aim to explore the interplay between spin and electrical/optical degrees of freedom [...] to develop novel quantum technologies.”
Transforming Human-Machine Interaction: The Journey of Neuranics and TMR Sensing

“Neuranics builds on pioneering TMR research in sensor design and biomagnetic signal detection to drive human-machine interaction in wearables, digital health, and XR... leading the way for the development and commercialization of these cutting-edge sensor solutions.”
Exploring Ferroelectric Materials and RF Electronics: An Interview with Prof. Kevin Nadaud on Characterization, CMOS Integration, and Research Challenges

“Ferroelectric materials hold significant potential across various fields due to their high and tunable dielectric permittivity as well as large piezoelectric coefficients. […] Achieving seamless integration with CMOS technology would allow us to combine the sensor components directly on the same chip as electronic components.”
What If You Could Feel the Mona Lisa? The Future of Digital Touch and Haptic Feedback with Easa Aliabbasi

“For the development of tactile devices, impedance measurements can be used to detect the physical phenomena happening due to the interaction of the finger and the touchscreen. Currently, my former group in Istanbul is working on making new touch screens with different materials, and they use the MFIA for characterization.”
Understanding Nonlinear Dynamics: Insights from Prof. Naik on 2D Materials based Mechanical Resonators

“Most of my research focuses on mechanical resonators made from silicon/silicon nitride and 2D materials like graphene...used for gas sensing, mass sensing, or spectrometry. We study the physics behind their motion, such as nonlinear dynamics, driven and detected by the Zurich Instruments UHFLI.”
Tiny Sensors, Big Impact: Harry Cook and Dr. Anna Kowalczyk on Advancing Magnetometry for Brain Imaging

“By placing many small magnetometers around the head, we can, in the future, measure these magnetic fields and then use mathematical algorithms to calculate where they originate in the brain.”
Laser Thermal’s Approach to Measuring Thermal Conductivity: Hans Olson on Thin Films, Bulk Materials, and Heat Transfer Challenges

“Our mission at Laser Thermal is to provide rapid, accurate measurements of thermal properties, which is enabled by the HF2LI. Zurich Instruments provides exceptional hardware when it comes to the instrument, delivering an ultralow noise floor, high resolution, and high speed.”
Dr. Michael Ruppert
“With the University of Technology Sydney and DECRA Fellowship, this combination gives me the opportunity to teach mechatronics and electronics while simultaneously pursuing my research on MEMS instrumentation for atomic force microscopy.”
Prof. Yasuhiro Sugawara

“We hold the current world record for optical microscopes with a 0.6 nm molecule spatial resolution by combining light and AFM technique, which is an important tool for the next generation.”
Dr. Nicola Carlon Zambon

“Research on levitated nano-objects focuses on measuring and controlling their center-of-mass and rotational degrees of freedom, and on probing the nanoparticle vibrational modes in the GHz band via a two-tone optical spectroscopy technique.”
Dr. Marios Maroudas

“My research is on dark matter, especially on one of the most prominent candidates: the axions, with a focused involvement in the projects WISPLC and WISPFI at the University of Hamburg.”
Ina Heckelmann, Dr. Mathieu Bertrand and Dr. Alex Dikopolstev

“The time-resolved measurements performed with the UHFLI Boxcar Averager have been crucial ... It was truly remarkable to see how much improvement a single piece of equipment can bring.”
Prof. John Nichol

“Spin qubits have two important advantages related to the goals of quantum computing - and the potential that these bring to the field excites me about working on the topic.”
Dr. Adrien Noury

“My advice for young researcher is to always think one step ahead and not follow the fashion. Following the fashion means you will never be at the forefront, which is what is expected from you as a researcher.”
Dr. Anja Köhntopp and Dr. Christoph Kölbl

“Our laser-based detection system is fast and can detect traces of explosives while you are doing other things like putting your luggage on the belt: you don’t need to stand still and wait for the scan to finish.”
Prof. Ileana-Cristina Benea-Chelmus

“We characterize the sidebands with the UHFLI, leading to a huge improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio.”
Prof. Stefan Filipp

“For our research roadmap, it's important to work with a company that thinks along the same directions as we do, namely – what is needed for high-fidelity and scalable devices?”
Renato Rogosic

“On one hand, the MFIA allows us to characterize reliably and consistently the polymers and substrates we synthesize. On the other hand, we use it to validate different readout techniques. Almost all members of our research group use impedance spectroscopy by now.”
Prof. Martino Poggio

“Modernizing equipment for education and research is going to be a top priority as it will help us do more research and projects with the innovative equipment of Zurich Instruments.”
Dr. Daniel Jirovec

“The UHFLI is probably the most used instrument in our lab. Almost every setup has one because it's just so versatile and so quick to use.”
Beckett Colson and Dr. Anna Michel

“A lock-in amplifier offers a convenient way to measure impedance in a continuous flow of water. We can use the impedance change to tell the difference between biological particles - which we hope to see in abundance - and microplastics.”
Prof. Yonuk Chong

“The Zurich Instruments QCCS made it possible to set up and start the measurement of qubits very quickly. In particular, the generation of precise high-frequency signals using double-superheterodyne frequency conversion significantly reduced the calibration burden in the qubit readout and control measurement setup.”
Dr. Andre Maier and Prof. Marcus Scheele

“We implemented a characterization method based on asynchronous optical sampling, where the UHFLI Lock-in Amplifier from Zurich Instruments plays an important role. With this technique, we can unravel the intrinsic temporal response of the developed photodetectors in the range of pico- to nanoseconds.”
Mr. Nathan Lacroix and Dr. Sebastian Krinner

“We use Zurich Instruments' equipment for low-noise and high-resolution control signal generation and for readout with FPGA-based fast signal processing. If we had to build control electronics on a large scale with similar characteristics, that would distract us from our core research activities.”
Dr. Tomás Manzaneque García

“Zurich Instruments' digital lock-ins have been of great value for my project on resonant mass sensors. Measurement schemes such as lock-in detection or phase-locked loops have been known for decades, but they have never been so easy to implement and configure.”
Dr. Jinwoong Cha
“We purchased an HDAWG for new experiments on superconducting quantum devices, and we hope to purchase other products from Zurich Instruments for our project on quantum transduction. We look forward to the scientific and technical achievements we will attain.”
Andreas Pauly

“Along with its lock-in amplifiers and impedance analyzers, Zurich Instruments offers brilliant solutions for controlling and measuring quantum processors and is a strong node in the network of actors leading this field.”
Dr. David Albertini

“What is clear is that for modes such as dual-frequency resonance tracking PFM, the HF2LI is precise, is characterized by very low noise and gives maximum performance.”
Dr. Heng Shen

“The HF2LI outperformed the other instrument in terms of crosstalk suppression from high-order harmonics.”
Dr. Natalia Ares

“We used our UHFLIs to detect coherent nanomechanical oscillations driven by single-electron tunneling in a suspended carbon nanotube.”
Dr. George Nelson

“The MFIA replaces three of the components found in a traditional DLTS system.”
Prof. Christoph Stampfer

“Recently, my group acquired an AWG from Zurich Instruments to help us understand the physics of potential spin and valley qubits in bilayer graphene.”
Prof. Jérôme Faist

“With the current and voltage inputs, the MFLI is ideally suited to transport measurements.”
Ying He

“The MFLI is far more than a lock-in amplifier – the test and measurement tools that come with it are game changers.”
Behraad Bahreini

“I like high-performance instrumentation that provides the flexibility to go beyond the original application.”
Qi Chen

“The LabOne graphical user interface of the HF2LI makes it easier for my students to understand the whole process of signal processing.”
Prof. Marcos Dantus

“I saw that the UHFLI operated at 600 MHz and my first response was “That’s pretty amazing!””
Prof. Leo DiCarlo and Prof. Andreas Wallraff

“We like the high channel density, the very small footprint and the fact that synchronization not only works between channels of the same instrument but also across several instruments.”
Dr. Philip Moll

“The MFLI is our workhorse lock-in amplifier, used daily for high precision, low-noise measurements of small signals.”
Dr. Martin Rohmer

“The work with Zurich Instruments was highly productive and a great experience for us, both on the technical and business side.”
Dr. Craig Prater and Dean Dawson

“We love the Zurich Instruments software interface. Zurich Instruments has been superb in providing integration support and training when we needed help.”
Prof. Gaojian Wu

“Not only can we enjoy the most advanced precision instrumentation, but also we do not need to spend too much time on learning how to use the equipment. We can then put more energy into the research and data analysis.”
Ehsan Nasr Esfahani

“In addition to the user-friendly LabOne interface, the support from Zurich Instruments made a valuable contribution to shortening the learning time and solving the challenges we were facing.”
Prof. Gary Steele

“With the HF2LI you can do all the filtering and mixing in the digital domain. That made the difference between spending half a year getting the analog setup to work and just plugging in the HF2LI and start measuring.”
Dr. Dalziel J. Wilson

“The frequency flexibility of the UHFLI comes in handy for a variety of bread-and-butter tasks.”