Photonion

Founded in 2018 and based in Berlin, Photonion is a private company commercializing advanced mass spectrometry solutions centered on soft ionization methods, primarily photoionization. Its core technology allows for the direct, real-time analysis of chemicals in complex gas and aerosol streams, eliminating the need for time-consuming chromatographic separation. The company serves the diagnostics and proteomics sectors with a focus on applications such as exhaust gas analysis, pyrolysis studies, coffee roasting control, and breath analysis. Photonion operates through customized solution development and strategic alliances, positioning itself in the growing market for rapid, online analytical instrumentation.

Specialized mass spectrometry using soft ionization methods, primarily Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Single-Photon Ionization (SPI) and Resonance Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI), for the direct, real-time analysis of chemicals in complex gas and aerosol mixtures without prior chromatographic separation.

Photonion competes in a segment of the analytical instrumentation market focused on real-time mass spectrometry. Direct competitors include other specialists in soft ionization sources and hyphenated systems. Its broader competitive set includes the major chromatography-mass spectrometry vendors (e.g., Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu), whose systems are the incumbent standard but are generally slower and require sample preparation.