The equipment required for research in (astro)particle physics is immensely complex. Due to the pioneering nature of the research and the ‘in-house’ expertise present, an institute such as Nikhef will have to develop such equipment itself.

For certain, crucial components of the research, the expertise of external companies is called upon. For example, Photonis-DEP BV, a manufacturer of high-quality detection equipment, produced the unique Hybrid Photon Detection for the LHCb in cooperation with CERN.

Furthermore, a number of interesting spin-offs have arisen from scientific R&D work, such as 'noiseless' X-ray imaging.

Nikhef develops components for equipment in close consultation with various specialised suppliers. For example, for the components of the detector for  LHCb the partners were Philips High Tech Plastics and California Fine Wire, who supplied the gold-coated wolfram anode wire.

Other suppliers include Schelde Exotech (cryostat endcap toroids, abbreviated to ECT) and Brush HMA (formerly Holec, superconducting magnetic coils ECT) both of whom contributed to ATLAS. PBF Group made the power supply for ANTARES, and IBS the positioning robot for ALICE.

The expertise of Shell Research was used for complex (orbital) welding, Baas and Neways for the assembly and the electronic and optical testing of ANTARES, and Engineering Spirit for the assembly of the MUROS for Medipix and ReNext.

If you would like to obtain further information or discuss the possibilities for your company to come into contact with Nikhef then please contact the Board of Directors.