Microscopy

Report Highlights

• The global market for microscopes and accessories is estimated to be $1.65 billion in 2004 and is expected to reach $2.77 billion in 2009, at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 11.0%.
• The fastest-growing segment of the market is that for scanning probe microscopes, at an AAGR of 20%.
• Charged particle microscopes represent the largest segment, and are expected to rise at an AAGR of 13.0% to $1.3 billion in 2009.
• Life science is the dominant end-user market while nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing are the fastest-growing with AAGRs of 20% and 14%, respectively.

INTRODUCTION

The field of microscopy has undergone an enormous evolution since the earliest optical microscopes were developed in the 1600s. The optical microscope continuously has been refined since its introduction, resulting in today’s superb scientific instruments. However, the optical microscope is limited by the minimum size and nature of the features it can resolve by manufacturability constraints and ultimately, the physics of light itself.

New microscopy technologies have been developed to overcome these limitations, such as electron, scanning probe and focused ion beam microscopy. The field of microscopy continues to evolve rapidly, as new requirements and imaging technologies are developed. While optical microscopes still account for the bulk of all microscopes sold in the world today, they are projected to be in the minority by 2009.

This BCC study provides an understanding of developments in microscopy technologies and applications that will influence the future size and structure of the market for various types of microscopes and their accessories. The report identifies segments of the microscopy market with the greatest commercial potential in the near to mid-term (2004-2009), identifying and where possible, quantifying the key demand drivers. It projects future demand for different types of microscopes, and evaluates technical and other challenges that must be overcome for the market to realize its full potential.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• A brief history of microscopy
• Definitions and a discussion of microscope technologies
• A detailed patent analysis
• Major enduses and applications for optical, electron, scanning probe and other microscopes (focused ion-beam, confocal) and microscope accessories
• Global market trends with forecasts to 2009 by type of instrument, end-user segment, geographic region
• Technology trends, limits and challenges
• Firm size and financial performance, ownership and market shares.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered from industry sources, including microscope manufacturers and users. To produce the projections contained in the report, interview data were combined with information gathered through an extensive review of secondary sources such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature and online databases.

The base-year for analysis and projection is 2003. With this in mind, market projections were developed for 2004 to 2009. They are based on a consensus of the primary contacts combined with BCC's understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective. Analytical methodologies used to generate market estimates are fully described in the section: Detailed Market Projections.

All dollar projections presented in this report are in 2003 constant dollars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew McWilliams, the author of this report, is a partner in the Boston-based international technology and marketing consulting firm, 43rd Parallel LLC. He also is the author of a number of other BCC studies, including several that cover emerging technologies:

• C-140N Trends in the Noninvasive and Minimally Invasive Medical Device Market
• B-182 Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery Market
• GB-285 Emerging RF Technologies
• GB-290 Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Evaluation
• GB-298 Materials Characterization Instruments