About DECTRIS  /  DECTRIS History

Milestones

We are proud of what we have done and we thank each and everyone who contributed to our development! Let's see what we will reach next!

Our Timeline

2023: Introducing PILATUS4 and NOVENA software
2023: Introducing PILATUS4 and NOVENA software

  • We launched PILATUS4, our new high-end, hybrid-photon-counting detector model.
  • We introduced NOVENA software for the display and analysis of 4D STEM datasets obtained with ARINA detectors.
  • Shanghai Winner and DECTRIS signed an agreement for the distribution of DECTRIS hybrid-pixel electron-counting detectors in China.

2022: New CEO, New Products, New Teams
2022: New CEO, New Products, New Teams

  • Matthias Schneebeli officially takes over the company as a new CEO.
  • DECTRIS launches its dedicated 4D STEM hybrid-pixel detector - the ARINA.
  • A dedicated team is formed to serve the needs of the APAC region.
  • Dectris builds its 10,000th PILATUS module.

2021: DECTRIS turns to Asia
2021: DECTRIS turns to Asia

  • DECTRIS Japan is incorporated and a new sales and service team is formed.
  • Nicolas Pilet becomes DECTRIS Head of Sales.
  • Gatan integrates DECTRIS ELA into its Stela system and wins Microscopy Today Innovation Award.
  • DECTRIS celebrates its 15th anniversary.
  • MYTHEN2 detectors get an upgrade.

2020: Seven EIGER2 X CdTe detectors at EBS
2020: Seven EIGER2 X CdTe detectors at EBS

  • DECTRIS delivers, not one, not two, but seven (!) EIGER2 X CdTe large-area detectors to the Extremely Brilliant Source at the ESRF.
  • DECTRIS is recognized by the Swiss Employer Award 2020.
  • DECTRIS launches EIGER2 R CdTe X-ray detector series for laboratory applications. 
  • The Specific Solutions team delivers its 100th custom-made system.
  • DECTRIS X-ray detectors help fight the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

2019: Introducing Hybrid-pixel Technology to the Electron Microscopy Community
2019: Introducing Hybrid-pixel Technology to the Electron Microscopy Community

  • #makEMcount: DECTRIS launches QUADRO and ELA, the first DECTRIS electron detectors.
  • CryoEM article with EIGER results becomes the most popular IUCr Journal article ever.
  • EIGER2 X transferred to production in a concerted team effort.
  • New Roadmap Owner Team makes project planning more efficient.    
  • Over 120 people work at DECTRIS.

2018: First EIGER2 X 16M Detector Deliveries
2018: First EIGER2 X 16M Detector Deliveries

  • First EIGER2 X 16M detectors delivered: two to DLS and one to PSI.
  • Launch of EIGER2 X CdTe series at the SRI Conference in Taipei.
  • Micro electron diffraction with EIGER among runners-up for Science's Breakthrough of the Year.
  • EIGER2 R 500K finds success in laboratory diffractometers.
  • Our CEO Christian Brönnimann wins the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

2017: DECTRIS USA Starts Operations
2017: DECTRIS USA Starts Operations

  • Launch of EIGER2 R 500K and EIGER2 X series at the IUCr Congress 2017 in Hyderabad.
  • Delivery of custom-designed PILATUS3 X CdTe 2M to PETRA III and APS.
  • DECTRIS conquers the new world: DECTRIS USA starts operation in Philadelphia.
  • 10,000th PDB entry with PILATUS data.
  • Winner of the Prix SVC 2017.
  • DECTRIS welcomes the 100th employee.

2016: 10 Years of Detector Development
2016: 10 Years of Detector Development

  • DECTRIS celebrates its 10th anniversary!
  • More than 300 detector systems produced and shipped.
  • Five EIGER X 16M systems delivered.
  • The first detectors dedicated to medical applications and industrial imaging are sold.
  • DECTRIS employs more than 90 people.

2015: Welcome EIGER!
2015: Welcome EIGER!

  • Introduction of the EIGER R and X series for laboratory and synchrotron applications.
  • DECTRIS launches new MYTHEN2 R and X microstrip X-ray detector series.
  • In November, DECTRIS relocates to its new premises in Täfernhof II.
  • The staff number rises to 79.

2014: The Largest DECTRIS Detector
2014: The Largest DECTRIS Detector

  • PILATUS 12M-DLS, the largest and most customer-specific in-vacuum detector, is delivered to Diamond Light Source.
  • Introduction of PILATUS3 R, S, and X detector series and the PILATUS3 X CdTe detectors for hard X-ray applications.
  • DECTRIS exhibits for the first time at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago.

2013: DECTRIS hits 50!
2013: DECTRIS hits 50!

  • DECTRIS installs two latest-generation PILATUS3 detectors at Diamond Light Source.
  • Delivery of first PILATUS3 200K systems for the laboratory market.
  • DECTRIS employs more than 50 people.

2012: PILATUS3 is launched
2012: PILATUS3 is launched

  • Introduction of PILATUS3 product family.
  • Launch of PILATUS 300K 20Hz - the first hybrid-photon-counting detector designed for laboratory applications.
  • Delivery of the first customer-specific in-vacuum detector PILATUS 1M-PTB.
  • MYTHEN 24K system is delivered to Beijing Synchrotron.
  • DECTRIS employs 44 people.

2011: DECTRIS Wins the Aargauer-Unternehmerpreis
2011: DECTRIS Wins the Aargauer-Unternehmerpreis

  • Six PILATUS 6M detectors delivered to six synchrotrons around the globe.
  • DECTRIS wins the Aargauer-Unternehmerpreis.
  • Strong focus on research and development; at least half of the 40 employees are involved in R&D projects.

2010: Delivery of The First MYTHEN 6K Detector
2010: Delivery of The First MYTHEN 6K Detector

  • DECTRIS wins the Swiss Economic Award in the High-Tech/Bio-Tech category.
  • Delivery of the first MYTHEN 6K detector system to Diamond Light Source.
  • The fastest growth in its short history: 34 employees.

2009: The First PILATUS 6M Detector Delivered
2009: The First PILATUS 6M Detector Delivered

  • Delivery of the first PILATUS 6M detector.
  • Breakthrough in large-scale production of pixel detectors. DECTRIS delivers 70 systems worldwide.
  • DECTRIS has 20 employees.

2008: The First Large-area Detector System Is Delivered
2008: The First Large-area Detector System Is Delivered

  • The first large-area detector system is delivered to Diamond Light Source, UK.
  • Introduction of the MYTHEN detector; delivery of the first unit at year’s end.
  • DECTRIS moves to its new premises in Baden and has 12 employees.

2007: Swiss Technology Award
2007: Swiss Technology Award

  • First delivery of a PILATUS 100K detector.
  • Delivery and installation of eight additional systems.
  • First supply agreement with Rigaku signed.
  • DECTRIS is a finalist of the Swiss Technology Award.
  • By year’s end, DECTRIS has six full-time employees.

2006: DECTRIS Is Founded
2006: DECTRIS Is Founded

Sept. 28, 2006
DECTRIS is founded by
Ch. Brönnimann, E. F. Eikenberry,
M. Näf and P. Salficky.

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