March 03, 2026 -- Collaboration between Leiden Cryogenics and Orange Quantum Systems results in a fast-turnaround tabletop ‘mini-fridge’ for quantum applications.

New open-source operating system “OrangeQS Juice” is used to operate new Leiden Cryogenics dilution refrigerator.

An inverted tabletop dilution refrigerator that can achieve millikelvin temperatures has long been the holy grail for fast-turnaround quantum technology development. It is especially useful for fast and affordable quantum chip testing.

In 2023, Quantum Delta NL awarded funding to companies Leiden Cryogenics and Orange Quantum Systems for the Quper project. The two companies set out to develop a compact, fast turn-around cryostat for quantum applications.

A fast turn-around ‘mini-fridge’ for quantum applications

Three years after the conception of the ‘mini-fridge’ for quantum R&D, Leiden Cryogenics (LC) successfully finalised a prototype in the Quper project.

At the APS Global Physics Summit, LC will unveil a new product based on the Quper project. The company promises a compact and affordable cryogenic system capable of cooling a sample to below 25 millikelvin and returning it to room temperature in under 24 hours.

The project tested a new inverted fridge design, allowing for ergonomic tabletop access for operators.

By shrinking all components, including the heat switch and dilution unit, a much faster cooldown is possible. Achieved without the need for liquid nitrogen and with a significantly lower helium-3 requirement.

In 2025, project partner Orange Quantum Systems used the prototype cryogenic system for testing Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers.

To remotely monitor, control, and automate the Quper fridge, the project introduced a new Leiden Cryogenics back‑end for SubZero, the cryogenic control software that runs on OrangeQS Juice. This was made possible thanks to the flexible and extensible nature of the Juice OS.

This project was made possible by Quantum Delta NL.