The Cryo-Control Electronics — RF, Microwave & Vacuum Systems
Inside every quantum lab, a few benchtop instruments do the actual qubit manipulation. Keysight and MKS dominate the consumables.
A quantum lab doesn't just need a fridge. It needs the equipment that generates and shapes the microwave pulses that talk to the qubits (Keysight is the leader), the vacuum and gas-management systems that maintain the quantum environment (MKS), and the cryogenic probe stations that test the qubit chips before they go into the fridge (FormFactor, post-Lake Shore acquisition). These are the consumables of the quantum lab — sold every time someone builds a new system.
Decades of test-and-measurement IP cannot be replicated by a startup. Every major quantum lab in the world already standardized on Keysight RF and MKS vacuum. The cost to switch is enormous.
3 names on the watchlist
Dominant RF and digital test equipment, including the arbitrary waveform generators used to control qubits. Acquired Quantum Benchmark 2021.
Spun out of HP/Agilent. The dominant supplier of arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) , microwave synthesizers, and benchtop test gear used to generate and measure the precise RF pulses that drive qubit operations. Tier-1 supplier to nearly every superconducting and ion-trap quantum lab on Earth. Acquired Quantum Benchmark (software) in 2021 to add a quantum-specific characterization toolchain.
Specialty vacuum, gas analysis, motion control, and photonics. The vacuum chambers and gas systems inside every dilution fridge.
Makes vacuum components, gas analyzers, motion control systems, and photonics modules — many of which are used inside dilution refrigerators and quantum chambers (also in semiconductor fabs and industrial lasers — a broader semiconductor capex play). Q1 revenue $1.08B (+15% YoY); Q2 guide $1.2B.
Cryogenic probe stations for quantum chip testing. Also wafer probe cards for HBM (open-ecosystem partner with Advantest).
The only public US name in cryogenic test. FormFactor expanded its quantum exposure via the Lake Shore Cryotronics acquisition. Also benefits from HBM ramp (open-ecosystem probe-card partnership with Advantest). A two-for-one: AI memory cycle plus quantum cryo-test. The dual-exposure makes it less volatile than a pure quantum bet.
- Business Research Insights, AAAS · May 2026