Solid State, Gas and Dye Lasers: Outlook for the Future

Report Highlights

• The total worldwide market for all types of lasers is estimated to be just over $2 billion in 2003. Rising at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 7.8%, the market is expected to cross $2.9 billion in 2008.
• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers will show the strongest growth, rising at an AAGR of 14.8% to $491 million in 2008.
• Lamp-pumped and excimer lasers will each rise at AAGRs of 8% to $981 million and $628 million, respectively, in 2008.
• Dye lasers will grow slightly better than the aggregate total, but still will generate only $16.8 million in 2008.
• Growth in some application areas will be very strong, such as in instrumentation (16.5% AAGR) and basic research (15.1%).

INTRODUCTION

The laser is a light source that produces highly collimated, coherent and spectrally narrow electromagnetic light that spans the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) spectral regime. There are several types of lasers differentiated by the lasing media (e.g., gas, liquid or solid state). The technology and engineering aspects pertaining to the various types of lasers are different, stemming from the nature of the lasing media and the pumping technology.

Lasers are widely used for various applications including industry, pure science, medicine, diagnostics and entertainment. Their use has been growing at a relatively fast rate with some very significant achievements to their credit in material science, optics, electro-optics and telecommunications. It is expected, based on trends observed in the past, that in general, the use of various types of lasers will increase and dominate many fields. In particular, it is expected that by improving the reliability of existing lasers or by introducing solutions to meet specific needs, the market size of some specific laser types may increase significantly.

This new BCC report provides a detailed market situation and analysis of economic parameters such as market volumes, needs and opportunities within the laser industry. The study also provides an analysis of laser applications divided between current and future applications. It analyzes the influence of lasers on the optoelectronics industry and vice versa, and the effect of laser technologies, especially solid-state, on other related industries that are significantly influenced by these technologies.

Laser technology is a growing field with enormous impact on various aspects of science and technology. The subject encompasses various disciplines such as material science, optics, electronics and quantum electronics. The subject is technologically attractive and the market analysis and market projections of the high-tech field also are essential to assess the potential of lasers.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report provides:

• An assessment of the main products, applications and companies active in the field

• Analysis of new technological developments

• Identification of present and future market parameters

• Identification of present and future applications per product

• An assessment of the industry structure

• Identification of the major participants and the dynamics of the

• Estimates of global sales per product and application with forecasts through 2008

• Analysis of the drawbacks of current products, and of the needs that seek solutions.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

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

In addition, we consulted BCC reports that we considered relevant to our topic. BCC has conducted several studies in the field of lasers, laser materials, and electro-optics. Such reports for example are (others can be found on the next page):

• GB-221: Solid-state Lasers: Outlook for the Future

• GB-253: Organics for Electro-Optical Applications

• GB-117R: Nonlinear Optical Materials and Applications

We think that this report adds, to the existing ones, additional information-that is, market-oriented technological analysis and forecasts for the laser industry, including specific products and applications, as well as future trends and developments.

ANALYST'S CREDENTIALS

Dr Ofra Kalisky has 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, no-linear optical materials, and organic materials for the photonics industry.