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Atlas Copco

Edwards and Leybold pumps for dilution refrigerators

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Where it fits in a quantum computer

Bluefors’ BF-LD user manual (v1.5.0, January 2016) lists Edwards XDS35i or nXDS15i dry scroll pumps as the dilution-circulation backing pumps. Edwards, owned since 2014, took responsibility for the extreme-high-vacuum system of an error-corrected trapped-ion quantum computer in a Universal Quantum-led consortium funded with £7.5 million by Innovate UK (joined February 2022), and Leybold, owned since 2016, markets TURBOVAC turbopumps optimized for cryogenic environments and ECODRY plus oil-free backing pumps for dilution refrigerators (October 6, 2025).

What the evidence establishes

Quantum-computing evidence

Partner-disclosed: Bluefors’ dilution-refrigerator manual names Edwards scroll pumps, and Edwards’ and Leybold’s own pages describe their quantum-computing vacuum work.

An explicit quantum-computing product, design-in, supply role, program or partnership, such as a part sold for quantum computers or a named quantum-computer customer. For a maker, it means the company’s own quantum computers or processors. This does not establish revenue, market share, volumes or future sourcing.

Component roleEdwards and Leybold pumps for dilution refrigerators
EvidencePartner-disclosed: Bluefors’ dilution-refrigerator manual names Edwards scroll pumps, and Edwards’ and Leybold’s own pages describe their quantum-computing vacuum work.
How we knowPartner-disclosed A named partner, customer or platform owner’s document names the company. The scope is that document’s system or program, not a general supply relationship.
Primary sourceAtlas Copco — supporting disclosure
Company or official disclosure; vendor claims are attributed to their source.
Checked. This is the research review date, not the source publication or quote time.

Keep in perspective

The Bluefors manual is from 2016, and Bluefors’ Gen 2 system (2024) uses a multistage roots circulation pump whose maker is not named, so current sourcing is not documented. The Universal Quantum machine is a trapped-ion design, Leybold names no dilution-refrigerator customer, and Atlas Copco does not break out quantum-related sales.

Diversified business exposure. This describes the breadth or role of the business; it is not an investment rating. A quantum-computing product, design-in or partnership does not by itself establish material quantum revenue, market share, or future returns.

Connections to the assembly

These links explain the technology relationship. The model is illustrative and does not represent an actual manufacturer’s bill of materials.

Turbomolecular pumps

High-speed turbine pumps that draw helium-3 vapour from the still and evacuate the vacuum can to a high vacuum.

Scope of the company links: Turbomolecular pumps on the still line draw helium-3 vapor out of the dilution unit and hand it to the backing pumps, and a turbopump also evacuates the vacuum can. Bluefors’ 2016 BF-LD manual lists one or two Pfeiffer HiPace 400 turbopumps for dilution circulation and an optional Agilent V301 service turbopump; Leybold (Atlas Copco) markets TURBOVAC turbopumps for dilution refrigerators without a named customer. Bluefors’ current Service Booster is a dedicated turbopump whose maker is not named, and other refrigerator makers do not disclose theirs. Shimadzu and Ebara make turbopumps, but no dilution-refrigerator source was found, so they are not mapped.

Backing pumps

Oil-free scroll or multistage roots pumps that exhaust the turbomolecular pumps and push the circulating gas back toward the refrigerator.

Scope of the company links: Oil-free backing pumps behind the turbos compress the returning mixture and rough out the system. Bluefors’ 2016 manual lists Edwards (Atlas Copco) XDS35i or nXDS15i scroll pumps for dilution circulation, an Agilent SH-110 scroll for service roughing and an Agilent IDP-3 scroll used as the helium compressor. Its Gen 2 system (2024) replaced the scroll pump with a multistage roots pump rated for six maintenance-free years and does not name the maker; Leybold (Atlas Copco) markets ECODRY plus multistage roots pumps and Pfeiffer its HiScroll range for such uses. Anest Iwata, a pioneer of dry scroll pumps, has no dilution-refrigerator source and is not mapped.

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