The Global Optical Waveguide Market size is expected to reach $9.9 billion by 2029, rising at a market growth of 7.0% CAGR during the forecast period.
Waveguides are transparent, minuscule optical parts that expand the exit pupil while transferring a projected virtual image to the eye. An optical waveguide is a physical structure that facilitates the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the optical spectrum. Common optical waveguides include optical fiber and transparent plastic and glass dielectric waveguides.
The growing use of electronic devices is one of the key driving forces behind the optical waveguide market. In high bandwidth applications, such as the widely used smart gadgets, the rapid volume of data flow has led to increasing data traffic, which has multiplied the requirement for optical waveguides. Faster and higher bandwidth connections, such as FFTN, FTTH, and FTTC that use optical fiber lines to transfer data are now necessary.
Portable and wearable augmented reality (AR) gadgets have become one of the most innovative forms of technology in recent years. Because of its aesthetics, capacity to be produced in large quantities, and optical performance, optical waveguide technology offers the most potential to provide consumer-grade AR glasses. Hence, it is regarded as an unrivaled option for consumer-grade AR glasses.
The Photonics industry is the most important end user of optical waveguide. Setting up the waveguides in three-dimensional space enables the integration of electrical circuits and optical fibers. An optical fiber is often a waveguide with a circular cross-section made of two dielectric materials, one of which has a lower refractive index. Although silica glass is used most frequently to make optical fibers, plastic optical fiber can also be used for applications requiring short-distance transmission.
The optical waveguide market was impacted in both instances by the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of the disruption of global supply chains, production & distribution of components and products involving optical waveguides were slowed down. Despite this, the expanded demand for high-speed internet and the expanding acceptance of fiber optic technology in various end-use industries have contributed to the rise in the use of optical waveguides. As a result, COVID-19 has had a favorable impact on the optical waveguide display market.
Photons go through optical elements like waveguides, polarizers, and phase shifters in PICs, analogous to resistors, capacitors, transistors, and wires in electrical circuits. High-end capabilities offered by PICs include low-loss transmission, miniature footprints, wide bandwidth, resilience to electric short circuits, and lack of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Data center interconnect (DCI), high-performance computing (HPC), telecommunication, and optical computing are a few developing application cases that are seeing significant acceptance rates for these PICs.
Miniaturization produces smaller mechanical, optical, and electrical products & devices. Globally, the miniaturization of electronic devices is gradually gaining momentum. Consumers are increasingly drawn to the portability and lightweight of electronic devices. Hence, the use of miniature electric components is increasing. Electronic devices are being created to maximize the available space and enhance the final product design, employing small form factor electronic components. Consumers choose handheld electronic gadgets with minimal size and maximum performance.
Optical waveguides are difficult to integrate into microchips & integrated circuits for a number of reasons, including the fact that their footprints have shrunk significantly in recent years. Additional costs for design and fabrication are caused by criteria such as miniaturization and ruggedness for such components. These requirements must not compromise the performance attributes of the component. As a result, the high costs and length of time required for producing and deploying optical waveguides act as a barrier to the market's expansion.
Based on type, the optical waveguide market is segmented into planar waveguide and channel waveguide. In 2022, the channel waveguide segment dominated the optical waveguide market with the maximum revenue share. Its two-way transverse optical confinement property, which offers superior speed & bandwidth, can be credited with the segment's expansion. To adjust the guided wave's direction or to provide a lateral shift, the channel waveguides components, like optical fibers, active optical cables, and fiber cables, can be bent or curved.
On the basis of material, the optical waveguide market is fragmented into glass, polymer and semiconductors. The semiconductor segment procured a promising growth rate in the optical waveguide market in 2022. Optical waveguides made of semiconductors have considerable design freedom and are simple to manufacture. High light transfer efficiency, minimal signal loss, the absence of electromagnetic disturbances, and a lower bit error rate are all characteristics of optical waveguides made from semiconductors. These attributes are suited for high-speed mixed signals-based, dependable modern communication.
By propagation, the optical waveguide market is classified into single mode and multi-mode. The multimode segment projected a prominent revenue share in the optical waveguide market in 2022. Multimode propagation's high attenuation & dispersal rate contribute to the segment's expansion. As the transmission distance increases due to the presence of OM5 fiber, the quality of optical signals will diminish. As it offers customers high bandwidth at rapid speeds across moderate distances, the segment will be in great demand during the anticipated period.
Based on interconnect level, the optical waveguide market is bifurcated into metro & long-haul optical interconnect, board-to-board & rack-level optical interconnect, and chip- & board-level optical interconnect. The chip- & board-level optical interconnect segment acquired a substantial revenue share in the optical waveguide market in 2022. The demand for co-packaged optics, computers, and optical transceivers with fast data transfer speeds and low power consumption is rising. An increased need for chip-and-board-level optical interconnects is driven by the rise of parallel computing, multicore computers, and 3D devices. As a result, they are becoming increasingly important to meet numerous end-use sectors' high computation speed requirements.
By end user, the optical waveguide market is categorized into telecommunication, data center & high-performance computing (HPC), medical, metrology, aerospace & defense, consumer electronics, industrial and others. In 2022, the telecommunication segment held the highest revenue share in the optical waveguide market. The segment's growth is driven by a rising number of wireless and fixed-point communications system users, the accessibility of low-cost communication equipment, the low-cost services provided by telecom service providers, and an expanding global Internet user base.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size value in 2022 | USD 6.2 Billion |
| Market size forecast in 2029 | USD 9.9 Billion |
| Base Year | 2022 |
| Historical Period | 2019 to 2021 |
| Forecast Period | 2023 to 2029 |
| Revenue Growth Rate | CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2029 |
| Number of Pages | 318 |
| Number of Table | 550 |
| Report coverage | Market Trends, Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Segmentation Analysis, Regional and Country Breakdown, Companies Strategic Developments, Company Profiling |
| Segments covered | Type, Interconnect Level, Material, Propagation, Industry, Region |
| Country scope | US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Russia, Spain, Italy, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Nigeria |
| Growth Drivers |
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| Restraints |
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Region wise, the optical waveguide market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and LAMEA. In 2022, the Asia Pacific region led the optical waveguide market by generating the largest revenue share. Government policies that foster the development of the photonics or semiconductor sectors in the region are what drive the market growth. The expansion of the optical waveguide market is being aided by the presence of various photonics start-up companies in the region. The market-scale development & production of photonics solutions is a constant focus for these firms.
Free Valuable Insights: Global Optical Waveguide Market size to reach USD 9.9 Billion by 2029
The market research report covers the analysis of key stakeholders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Corning Incorporated, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company, Fujikura Ltd., Prysmian Group, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., CommScope Holding Company, Inc., Sterlite Technologies Limited, Coherent Corp. and DigiLens Inc.
By Type
By Interconnect Level
By Material
By Propagation
By Industry
By Geography
The Market size is projected to reach USD 9.9 billion by 2029.
Advancements in photonic integrated circuits are driving the Market in coming years, however, Designing & fabricating issues restraints the growth of the Market.
Corning Incorporated, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company, Fujikura Ltd., Prysmian Group, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., CommScope Holding Company, Inc., Sterlite Technologies Limited, Coherent Corp. and DigiLens Inc.
The Board-to-board & Rack-level Optical Interconnect segment acquired maximum revenue share in the Global Optical Waveguide Market by Interconnect Level in 2022 thereby, achieving a market value of $5.3 billion by 2029.
The Single-mode segment is leading the Market by Propagation in 2022 thereby, achieving a market value of $6.1 billion by 2029.
The Asia Pacific market dominated the Market by Region in 2022, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2029; thereby, achieving a market value of $3.7 billion by 2029.
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