Innovation

In a landscape where critical sensing technologies have long depended on foreign imports, Quark Optical emerges as a groundbreaking Turkish technology company reshaping the field of acoustic and electro-optical systems. With a strong emphasis on innovation and national self-sufficiency, Quark Optical designs and manufactures high-performance modules such as Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs), Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), and Time-to-Digital Converters (TDCs)—components essential to sectors ranging from defense and biomedical research to cutting-edge quantum technologies. Additionally, the company pioneers life-saving seismic detectors that harness acoustic technology to locate survivors trapped under rubble during natural disasters like earthquakes.

Quark Optical contributes to lowering Turkey's dependency on imported vital components by manufacturing these cutting-edge technologies domestically, strengthening technological sovereignty and national resilience. In particular, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) are all supported by their innovation. The company's initiatives support Turkey's transition to a more technologically sophisticated, sustainable, and self-sufficient society while also directly advancing both domestic and international SDG goals.

In addition to its technological innovations, Quark Optical is essential in developing regional talent and encouraging entrepreneurship driven by innovation. The organization develops a competent workforce capable of addressing challenging scientific and engineering problems by providing research opportunities, internships, and cooperative R&D projects with academic institutions. By emphasizing education and capacity-building, the nation is guaranteed to retain the skills and knowledge required to support high-tech innovation. Furthermore, Quark Optical exemplifies how cutting-edge innovation can be used for humanitarian purposes by creating life-saving technologies like acoustic-based seismic detectors, which strengthen resilience in areas vulnerable to disasters and make cities safer and more sustainable.

Inspiration

The founding story of Quark Optical is a stirring tale of tenacity, foresight, and determination. It started during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult world events in recent memory. The founder of the company was working somewhere else at the time, and he faced a significant challenge: getting a crucial APD (Avalanche Photodiode) module became practically impossible because of international export regulations. A national technological vulnerability was exposed by what might have appeared to be a technical annoyance.

The founder acted with determination and fortitude instead of surrendering. They bravely decided to make a home laboratory to test out domestic solutions after realizing the strategic value of technological self-sufficiency. What started out as a modest personal project quickly evolved into a rigorous research and development phase. The strong patriotic desire to add value to the nation and support national independence in vital technology sectors drove this endeavor, which went beyond simple business.

Quark Optical was born out of this strong sense of duty and purpose. The company was established with the goals of developing strategically significant technologies domestically, increasing local capacity, and decreasing dependency on foreign suppliers. The founder's vision and unwavering efforts were rewarded in 2023 when they were named the prestigious "Best Entrepreneur"—a potent testament to the fact that purpose-driven innovation can result in long-lasting impact and national value.

Overall impact

Quark Optical was established in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic by a visionary businessman in reaction to export restrictions that revealed the nation's reliance on vital foreign technologies. Recognizing the strategic risk, the founder set up a home lab and started working on developing Avalanche Photodiode (APD) modules, which were essential parts that were previously out of reach because of export restrictions. For the business as well as for Turkey's larger technological scene, this invention signaled a sea change.

By manufacturing high-tech components in-house, Quark Optical was able to temporarily close a significant supply gap. This allowed for continuity in research and production across multiple sectors and decreased reliance on imports. Additionally, the innovation opened up new career paths for scientists and engineers, providing high-skilled jobs and luring talent domestically rather than overseas. As concrete proof of its early influence, the company's efforts received national recognition, including the 2023 "Best Entrepreneur" award.

The long-term consequences are already starting to show. For instance, the company's creation of seismic detectors has the potential to save lives in disaster response situations, particularly in areas that are prone to earthquakes. A new generation of startups and R&D-focused businesses are also being inspired by Quark Optical's success, which demonstrates that Turkey is capable of achieving technological sovereignty. The transformative power of purpose-driven innovation is further supported by this contribution to a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Business benefit

Quark Optical’s innovative development of electro-optic and acoustic sensor modules has driven growing demand for high-performance, locally manufactured solutions over imported alternatives. This strategic shift not only enhances system reliability but also shortens delivery timelines key for mission-critical sectors like defense, biomedical research, and disaster response. As a result, Quark Optical has gained a competitive edge in securing high-value contracts and expanding its client base. The company’s turnkey service model, which includes customizable integration support and long-term maintenance plans, fosters lasting partnerships and ensures customer satisfaction, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth in highly specialized industries.

By consolidating its R&D and manufacturing operations within technopark facilities, Quark Optical has streamlined its workflow, reduced overhead costs, and improved coordination between teams. Batch-based procurement of components has further optimized its supply chain, minimizing delays and allowing for more agile production scaling. These efficiency gains have translated into increased profitability and reinvestment capacity. In turn, the company has been able to hire additional technical staff, increase employee retention through stable workloads and professional development opportunities, and support employee wellbeing by maintaining a collaborative and innovation-driven work environment.

Because the business made deliberate investments in innovation, local production, and customer-centric services, these good things have happened: revenue has grown, operational efficiency has improved, employee satisfaction is higher, and the business is better positioned to attract investment and enter new markets. Quark Optical’s innovation is not just a technical upgrade it’s a strategic foundation for long-term business success.

Social and environmental benefit

Quark Optical’s sensor technologies deliver significant social and environmental advantages by enabling timely, data-driven interventions across a wide range of critical contexts. Their advanced acoustic detectors have been deployed in earthquake prone regions during search and rescue operations, allowing emergency teams to identify and reach survivors trapped under rubble. These real time sensing capabilities directly contribute to saving lives, reducing disaster response time, and increasing community resilience. Similarly, in public health and safety efforts, the company's high precision sensing modules support early detection of structural weaknesses in public infrastructure, contributing to accident prevention and improved urban safety planning.

In the environmental domain, Quark’s SPAD (Single-Photon Avalanche Diode) and APD (Avalanche Photodiode) modules facilitate high resolution remote sensing of ecosystems, air and water quality, and pollution sources. These innovations empower researchers, environmental agencies, and policymakers to act swiftly in response to contamination or ecological degradation, thereby supporting cleaner, healthier environments. By manufacturing these advanced sensors locally within technopark facilities, the company also reduces its carbon footprint minimizing transportation emissions and curbing the need for energy intensive imports. Batch based procurement further reduces material waste and improves lifecycle sustainability of production.

Moreover, Quark Optical’s partnerships with academic institutions and NGOs help democratize access to advanced technology. Through knowledge sharing, open innovation, and hands-on training programs, the company supports capacity building in underserved and developing regions. These collaborations not only enhance local expertise but also ensure that advanced sensing technologies contribute to global sustainable development goals enhancing public safety, promoting environmental protection, and supporting inclusive innovation across communities.

Interview

Burak Şükrü Çetinkaya, Founder