Global Photonic Crystals Market - Analysis & Forecast - 2017 to 2021

Market Overview

Photonic crystals have been studied in one form or another since 1887, but in 1987, when researchers Eli Yablonovitch and Sajeev John presented papers on the significance of the photonic crystals, the usage of photonic crystals in various applications came into existence. Photonic crystals are optical/dielectric structures that are intended to influence the movement of photons and are comprised of particular high dielectric and low dielectric regions. Photonic crystals are undifferentiated from semiconductors in the sense that the lattice can prohibit the propagation of certain waves. There are gaps in the energy band structure of the crystal called photonic band gaps, which are similar to the gaps present in semiconductors. After a number of research and developmental measures, photonic crystals became a breakthrough technology due to their potential for light manipulation. With the advancement of this emerged technology, photonic crystals are widely utilized in various applications such as optical fiber, LED, image sensor, solar & photovoltaic (PV) cell, laser, discrete and integrated optical components, among others.

The photonic crystals market is primarily segmented by type, application, end-use industry and geography. The major categories by type include one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional. The major applications include optical fiber, LED, image sensor, solar & PV cell, laser, and discrete and integrated optical components application, among others. The major end-use industries include industrial, aerospace & defense, life sciences & healthcare and others (research & development). By geography, the global photonic crystals market is segmented into Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle-East & Africa and South America. The global photonic crystals market is expected to reach $53,607.1 million by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2017 and 2021.

The photonic crystals market is driven by a number of factors such as superior properties of photonic crystals, increasing demand from various end-use applications, as well as photonic crystals in LED. However, fabrication of 3D photonic crystals is hampering the growth of the photonic crystals market. Substantial investment in research & developmental activities, increasing demand of photonic crystals in solar & photovoltaic cell, especially in the emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil, are expected to create opportunities in the photonic crystals market.

The photonic crystals market is segmented into three types: one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional. The two-dimensional photonic crystal dominated the global photonic crystals market with a market share of approximately 66.5% in 2016. During the forecast period, the 3D photonic crystals market is expected to grow at a faster rate in comparison to other photonic crystals. Factors such as wider variety of applications are further aiding the market growth.

On the basis of application, photonic crystals market is segmented into seven major applications which include optical fiber, LED, image sensor, solar & PV cell, laser, discrete and integrated optical components and others. The optical fiber application segment dominated the global photonic crystals market with a market share of approximately 33.7% in 2016. The rising demand for fiber optics is due to the increase in the demand of the smartphone, since it utilizes optical fibers for LED light. 

Solar & PV application segment is expected to register the highest CAGR in the forecast period. This is because solar energy is one of the potential options to replace fossil fuels, as it is pollution free and also, available in abundance. Further, the solar cell or PV cells are also used to convert solar energy into electricity. Photonic crystals are used to stimulate enhanced light trapping in solar cells to make use of solar energy.

On the basis of end-use industry, photonic crystals market is divided into four segments which include industrial, aerospace & defense, life sciences & healthcare & others (research & development). Industrial segment dominated the global photonic crystals market. This dominance is expected due to the increase in the usage of photonic crystal in telecommunication, electronics, laser, and solar energy based products, among others, as photonic crystals are used to stimulate enhanced light trapping to make use of solar energy.

On the basis of geography, Asia-Pacific dominated the photonic crystals market. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand of photonic crystals based devices from various countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, among others, in the Asia-Pacific region. Another major reason behind the growth of the market in Asia-Pacific is that the countries within this region were able to sustain their economies during the global economic crisis of 2008-09 and have been able to showcase constant growth in end-use production and sales across the globe. Some of the major players operating in the Asia-Pacific region includes Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd, and Photonic Lattice, Inc.

Some of the key players in the photonic crystals market are MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC., NKT Photonics A/S, Corning Incorporated, NeoPhotonics Corporation, GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC, Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K, Lockheed Martin Corporation, IPG Photonics Corporation and GLOphotonics. These companies provide a diversified product portfolio for specific needs and industrial applications. These companies are actively aiming at an increased number of agreements, partnerships, collaborations, & contracts and products to expand their operations, thereby, enhancing their share in the photonic crystals market.