Non-Linear Optical Materials and Applications

Report Highlights

• The global market for nonlinear optical materials is estimated at $856.1 million in 2005. By 2009, the market is expected to rise at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 17.1% to $1,656 million.
• The market share of LiNbO₃ for telecommunications is expected to be 24.5% in 2005, and rising to 29.6% by 2009.
• Rotators, isolators and waveplates, also for telecommunications, account for 57% of the market. This market segment will rise at a slightly lower AAGR of 15.8% to $933.2 million in 2008.
• KTP, KDP, KDP, BBO, CLBO, LBO and their isomorphs used for electrooptical and laser applications account for the remainder. KTP will rise at an AAGR of 5.4% while the remainder will rise at a combined AAGR of 8% through the period.

INTRODUCTION

Nonlinear optical materials use nonlinear dependence of the refraction index on the applied electric field to produce other frequencies. This results in either harmonic generation or frequency shifting. The development of the field was enhanced in parallel with the introduction of lasers, because laser beams possess the energy density necessary to produce nonlinear effects.

The clear advantage of nonlinear optical materials to lasers and electrooptics became clear in the early days of lasers, since it enabled expansion of their limited spectral regime. Today, there are a large number of nonlinear optical materials for specific wavelengths, with various damage thresholds, and with various optical characteristics. The unique characteristics of each nonlinear optical material and its various applications are mutually connected.

This newly-updated BCC report provides a detailed market situation and analysis of economic parameters such as market volume, needs and opportunities within the nonlinear optical materials industry. The report provides an analysis of nonlinear optical materials applications for the period between 2004 and 2009.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• Analysis of market volumes needs and opportunities within the nonlinear optical materials industry
• Analysis of trends in product development, needs and economic parameters according to product type, applications and geography
• Market forecast through 2009 for nonlinear optical materials applications in industry, medicine, entertainment, remote sensing and analysis, basic research, telecommunications and others (LADAR, LIDAR, etc)
• Analysis of the strength of products versus current and future opportunities
• Identification of the major industrial players actively involved in the field.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The analysis presented in this study is based on information derived from professional journals, technical literature, specific information and catalogues, and on-line sources. In addition, we conducted interviews with industry leaders and sources in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as with several researchers in leading universities. We also analyzed available on-line and commercial sources with relevant financial and market information and added our own assessment to that information.

In addition, we consulted BCC reports that we considered relevant to the present topic. BCC has conducted several studies in the field of electro-optics and optical materials. This report adds new market-oriented technological analyses and forecasts for the nonlinear optical materials industry, including specific products, devices, and applications, and future trends and developments.

ANALYST'S CREDENTIALS

Dr Ofra Kalisky has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and MSM (Master of Management Sciences) from Boston University. Dr Kalisky has 20 years experience with the markets, technologies and developments in the fields of: electro-optics, including: laser technologies, photonics, spectroscopy, as well as semiconductor materials and plastic additives. She is also a member of the department of Technological Marketing and Management in JCT. For BCC, Dr. Kalisky has conducted research on lasers and laser materials, nonlinear optical materials, and organic materials for the photonics industry.