Adaptive Optics Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Global adaptive optics sales revenue totaled around USD 1.1 billion at the end of 2022. Over the forecast period, demand for adaptive optics is likely to rise at 24.9% CAGR. As per the latest analysis, the global adaptive optics market size is projected to expand from USD 1.6 billion in 2023 to USD 14.5 billion by 2033.

The future of the worldwide adaptive optics industry looks bright with widening applications across diverse sectors. The target market is anticipated to generate an absolute $ opportunity of USD 13.0 billion during the projection period.

Demand is likely to remain high for wavefront sensors due to their increasing usage in several adaptive optics applications. As per Future Market Insights (FMI), the wavefront sensor segment is forecast to progress at a CAGR of around 24.8% CAGR through 2033.

Key Adaptive Optics Market Shaping Factors:

  • High adoption of adaptive optics across sectors such as military & defense, astronomy, and communication is driving the market forward
  • Widening applications in ophthalmology and retinal imaging to boost global adaptive optics sales revenues through 2033
  • Rising incidence of retinal degeneration diseases along with escalating demand for corrective eyewear across the world is likely to uplift adaptive optics demand
  • Increasing demand for high-resolution microscopy in biomedical research is expected to fuel market expansion
  • Growing interest in space exploration to create lucrative growth prospects for adaptive optic system manufacturers
  • Partnerships and collaborations between adaptive optics manufacturers, researchers, and end users are contributing to market growth
  • Increasing popularity of adaptive optics in atmospheric monitoring and remote sensing applications might positively impact the overall market performance
  • Rise in ground-based astronomical telescopes is likely to fuel adaptive optics system sales

From once used only for astronomical applications to currently being employed in diverse fields, adaptive optics has come a long way since its inception. This evolving technology has changed the face of several sectors due to its ability to overcome atmospheric distortions.

Adaptive optics is an advanced technology employed for enhancing the performance of optical systems. It allows telescopes and several other optical systems to achieve higher resolutions and clearer images by correcting atmospheric turbulence or distortions in real-time.

Adaptive optics is especially gaining popularity in the field of astronomy where the clarity of images is vital for studying celestial objects accurately. Growing adoption of adaptive optics in astronomical observations is expected to drive the target market swiftly through 2033.

Incorporation of adaptive optics systems is allowing users to significantly improve the capabilities of ground-based telescopes. By using this technology, astronomers can achieve high resolutions easily.

For instance, recently Inouye Solar Telescope’s team used adaptive optics to counteract the atmospheric turbulence and other disturbances. Thus, high usage of adaptive optics in ground-based telescopes is likely to foster market expansion.

Increasing applications in military & defense sector is expected to uplift adaptive optics system demand during the forecast period.

Thanks to its ability to compensate for atmospheric distortions, adaptive optics is emerging as an ideal technology for improving performance of advanced weapons and defense systems.

Adaptive optics is being used for targeting and surveillance applications where it enhances the imaging capabilities of cameras, telescopes, and optical sensors. Adoption of this technology allows for better identification and tracking of targets, even at long distances.

In the military & defense sector, adaptive optics also finds application in laser weapons, missile defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and periscope systems. Increasing demand for these sophisticated systems is likely to bolster adaptive optics system sales.

Rising usage of adaptive optics in industrial manufacturing is set to provide a strong impetus for market growth during the assessment period.

Adaptive optics is being widely used in laser processing & micromachining operations, lithography processes, optical inspection systems, and additives manufacturing in the industrial manufacturing sector. It is helping companies to overcome optical limitations, thereby improving precision, quality, and efficiency in several processes.

Leading companies are focused on introducing novel adaptive optics solutions including MEMS deformable mirrors and Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors for specific applications. It is anticipated that the development of next-generation optics systems will transform astronomy and other related fields.

Attributes Key Insights
Estimated Global Adaptive Optics Market Value (2023) USD 1.6 billion
Projected Adaptive Optics Market Size (2033) USD 14.5 billion
Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033) 24.9%
United States Market CAGR (2023 to 2033) 23.0%

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2018 to 2022 Adaptive Optics Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast from 2023 to 2033

According to Future Market Insights’ (FMI’s) latest analysis, the global market for adaptive optics expanded at around 38.9% CAGR historically from 2018 to 2022. Total market size reached about USD 1.1 billion at the end of 2022.

Looking ahead, global adaptive optics demand is expected to rise at a CAGR of 24.9% through 2033. The worldwide adaptive optics industry is set to generate an absolute $ opportunity of USD 13.0 billion during the assessment period.

Growing demand for adaptive optics systems from diverse sectors such as military & defense, communication, industrial manufacturing, and astronomy is expected to drive the target market forward.

Adaptive optics is becoming an ideal technology for countering atmospheric distortions in optical systems. Usage of adaptive optics is helping end users to significantly improve the performance of optical systems.

Technological advancements in optical components such as wavefront sensors, wavefront modulators, and control systems are playing a key role in fostering market development.

Continuous advancements in adaptive optics are widening its applications across several sectors. For instance, it is now being used in defense, communication, and biomedical imaging. High adoption of adaptive optics in these applications is expected to boost the target market.

Rising need for improving performance of surveillance systems and laser weapon systems is another key factor stimulating market growth. Adaptive optics is being increasingly used in modern weapons and defense systems.

Growing prevalence of several eye diseases and adoption in ophthalmology and biomedical imaging is acting as a catalyst triggering adaptive optics system sales.

Adaptive optics is helping ophthalmologists in early disease detection and treatment monitoring by providing high-resolution imaging of eye and other biological structures. It is being used in several medical applications including retinal imaging in combination with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Adaptive optics technology uses wavefront sensors to sense aberrations of ocular optics and compensate them through deformable mirrors. Thus, it helps to enhance retinal imaging performance.

Adaptive Optics Market Country-wise Insights

Country United States
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 23.0%
Market Value (2033) USD 4.3 billion
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 35.8%
Country United Kingdom
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 23.9%
Market Value (2033) USD 0.674 billion
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 37.4%
Country China
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 26.0%
Market Value (2033) USD 1.2 billion
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 40.8%
Country Japan
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 24.3%
Market Value (2033) USD 1.1 billion
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 37.9%
Country South Korea
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 25.4%
Market Value (2033) USD 0.586 billion
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 39.8%

United States Adaptive Optics Market Overview:

Rising Military & Defense Spending Boosting Sales in the United States

According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the United States adaptive optics market value is expected to reach USD 4.3 billion by 2033. It is set to generate an absolute $ growth of about USD 3.8 billion during the assessment period.

Historically, demand for adaptive optics in the United States grew at 35.8% CAGR. Over the projection period, the United States adaptive optics industry is anticipated to thrive at 23.0% CAGR.

Exponential growth of military & defense sector due to increasing government spending and high adoption of advanced weapons & defense systems are key factors driving the United States market.

The United States is the world’s leading country when it comes to military & defense spending. For instance, as per the EXECUTIVEGOV, the United States defense budget & military spending totaled a massive valuation of around USD 801 billion in 2021.

The United States government is constantly looking to provide sophisticated weapons and defense systems to its forces. This has prompted it to invest in technologies such as adaptive optics which in turn is boosting the overall market revenues.

Growing demand from astronomical and biomedical applications is also expected to boost adaptive optics sales revenues in the United States through 2033.

China Adaptive Optics Market Outlook:

Growing Applications in Consumer Electronics & Industrial Manufacturing to Fuel Demand in China

China is projected to remain the most lucrative market for adaptive optics during the forecast period. This is attributable to rising adoption of adaptive optics in consumer electronics and industrial manufacturing.

As per Future Market Insights’ (FMI’s) latest analysis, China adaptive optics market is anticipated to progress at 26.0% CAGR over the forecast period in comparison to 40.8% CAGR during the historical period. By 2033, total market size in China is expected to reach USD 1.2 billion.

Adaptive optics is gradually making its way into consumer devices such as smartphone cameras, AR & VR headsets, etc. This widening application in consumer electronics sector is expected to elevate demand for adaptive optic components such as wavefront sensors, wavefront modulators, etc in China.

Similarly, increasing usage in industrial manufacturing is expected to boost China adaptive optics industry during the assessment period.

Today, several China-based companies are incorporating adaptive optics into industrial manufacturing processes to achieve higher precision, increased efficiency, and high-quality products.Top of Form This in turn is set to improve China adaptive optics market share in the global market.

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Category-wise Insights

Top Segment (Component) Wavefront Sensors
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 38.7%
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 24.8%
Top Segment (End-use Industry) Military and Defense
Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) 38.4%
Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) 24.7%

Ability to Correct Aberrations in Optical Systems Fueling Wavefront Sensors Demand

Based on component, the global adaptive optics industry is segmented into wavefront modulator, wavefront sensor, control system, and others. Among these, demand remains high for wavefront sensors, making it the top revenue-generating segment.

According to Future Market Insights (FMI), wavefront sensor segment grew at a stupendous CAGR of 38.7% during the historical period from 2018 to 2022. For the projection period, wavefront sensor demand is likely to rise at 24.8% CAGR.

Optical devices used for measuring & characterizing the wavefront of light, especially in telescopes, laser systems, and other optical systems are known as wavefront sensors. These devices measure distortions and send commands to deformable mirrors and control systems to counteract the distortions.

Wavefront sensors are gaining immense traction in adaptive optics systems. This is because they can help to correct aberrations and distortions in optical systems caused by factors such as imperfections in optical components and atmospheric turbulence.

Wavefront sensors are widely employed in several adaptive optics applications. For instance, they are used for several laser applications such as laser material processing and laser beam diagnostic for controlling laser beam size and shape to improve accuracy.

Wavefront sensors can significantly enhance the performance of lasers, telescopes, and other optical devices. This is due to their ability to provide feedback to adaptive optics systems so that they can adjust the shape of deformable mirrors and other elements in real-time to compensate for aberrations.

Increasing usage of wavefront sensors in applications such as laser beam control systems and astronomical observations is expected to fuel their demand during the assessment period.

Growing usage of wavefront sensing in microscopy and metrology is another key factor expected to fuel wavefront sensor sales and boost the target market.

Military and Defense Sector to Hold a Prominent Market Share through 2033

As per Future Market Insights’ (FMI) latest report, military and defense end-user sector is expected to hold a dominant share of the global adaptive optics industry through 2033. This is due to rising applications of adaptive optics in military and defense sector.

The military & defense segment witnessed a CAGR of 38.4% during the historical timeframe and for the projection period, it is likely to expand at 24.7% CAGR.

In the military & defense sector, adaptive optics is employed for myriad applications. For instance, it is used for developing sophisticated guidance systems and state-of-the-art defense weapons. Similarly, it is becoming essential in long-range target identification and tracking

Adaptive optics enhances image quality, targeting precision, and tracking accuracy in modern warfare and defense applications by compensating for atmospheric disturbances.

Adaptive optics technology is expected to play a crucial role in military sector by allowing airborne and ground-based laser weapons to reach and neutralize targets at far away distances.

Various efforts are being made to utilize adaptive optics in horizontal path surveillance systems which will further boost the target segment.

Adaptive Optics Market Competitive Landscape

Leading adaptive optics systems manufacturers listed in the report include Northrop Grumman Corporation, Teledyne e2v, Thorlabs Inc., Boston Micromachines Corporation, Adaptica S.R.L., Active Optical Systems LLC, Iris AO, Inc., OKO Technologies, Imagine Optic Sa, and Phasics CORP among others.

These key companies are constantly investing in research & development to advance in adaptive optics. They are implementing a wide variety of strategies to improve their revenues and strengthen their market positions. These strategies include new product launches, mergers, partnerships, facility expansions, alliances, agreements, and acquisitions.

Recent developments:

  • In January 2023, Thorlabs Inc. announced the acquisition of JML Optical Industries, LLC, a leading custom designer and manufacturer of precision optics.
  • In June 2023, Teledyne Technologies introduced a new 8K wide aspect ratio CMOS image sensor called Snappy Wide. The new sensor can cover large field of view and is specifically designed for logistics applications.
  • In January 2020, Nanolite, a CEA-Imagine Optics joint laboratory was established. It focuses on innovative optical metrology & imaging solutions at shorter wavelengths.
  • In June 2018, Northrop Grumman Corporation completed the acquisition of Orbital ATK Inc.

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Adaptive Optics Market Report Scope

Attribute Details
Estimated Market Value (2023) USD 1.6 billion
Projected Market Value (2033) USD 14.5 billion
Anticipated Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) 24.9% CAGR
Historical Data 2018 to 2022
Forecast Period 2023 to 2033
Quantitative Units Revenue in USD Billion, Volume in Units, and CAGR from 2023 to 2033
Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Volume Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Trends and Pricing Analysis
Segments Covered Component, End-user Industry, and Region
Regions Covered North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; South Asia and Pacific; East Asia; and the Middle East & Africa
Key Countries Covered United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Nordic, Russia, Poland, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, GCC countries, North Africa, South Africa, and others.
Key Companies Profiled Teledyne e2v; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Thorlabs Inc.; Iris AO, Inc.; Adaptica S.R.L.; Active Optical Systems LLC; OKO Technologies; Imagine Optic Sa; Boston Micromachines Corporation; Phasics CORP

Global Adaptive Optics Market Segmentation

By Component:

  • Wavefront Sensor
  • Wavefront Modulator
  • Control System
  • Others

By End-user Industry:

  • Consumer
    • Head-Mounted Display
    • Camera Lenses
    • Other Consumer Devices
  • Astronomy
  • Bio-Medical
    • Ophthamology
    • Biomedical Microscopy
    • Cell Analysis
    • Other Applications
  • Military & Defense
    • Laser Defense System
    • Biometric Security
    • Surveillance
    • Other Applications
  • Industrial Manufacturing
    • Precision Manufacturing
    • Machine Vision
    • 3D Printing
    • Other Applications
  • Communication & Others
    • Free-Space Optical Communications
    • Sensing
    • Other Applications

By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East and Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the Key Asian Countries in the Adaptive Optics Market?

The key Asian countries in the Adaptive Optics market are China, Japan, and South Korea.

Which Industry is the Key Consumer of the adaptive optics market?

The astronomy business is the primary consumer of adaptive optics on the market.

How much can the Adaptive Optics Market grow by 2033 in the United States?

The United States Adaptive Optics market is estimated to rise at a 23% CAGR

What is the Current Market Valuation of Adaptive Optics Market?

The current market valuation of the Adaptive Optics market is USD 1.6 billion.

How big will be the Adaptive Optics Market by 2033?

The market for adaptive optics is expected to reach USD 14.5 billion by 2033.

Table of Content
	1. Executive Summary
	2. Market Overview
	3. Market Background
	4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
	5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Component
		5.1. Wavefront Sensor
		5.2. Wavefront Modulator
		5.3. Control System
		5.4. Others
	6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By End-User Industry
		6.1. Consumer
			6.1.1. Head-Mounted Display
			6.1.2. Camera Lenses
			6.1.3. Other Consumer Devices
		6.2. Astronomy
		6.3. Bio-Medical
			6.3.1. Ophthalmology
			6.3.2. Biomedical Microscopy
			6.3.3. Cell Analysis
			6.3.4. Other Applications
		6.4. Military & Defense
			6.4.1. Laser Defense System
			6.4.2. Biometric Security
			6.4.3. Surveillance
			6.4.4. Other Applications
		6.5. Industrial Manufacturing
			6.5.1. Precision Manufacturing
			6.5.2. Machine Vision
			6.5.3. 3D Printing
			6.5.4. Other Applications
		6.6. Communication & Others
			6.6.1. Free-Space Optical Communications
			6.6.2. Sensing
			6.6.3. Other Applications
	7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region
		7.1. North America
		7.2. Latin America
		7.3. Europe
		7.4. Asia Pacific
		7.5. Middle East & Africa
	8. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	9. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	10. Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	11. Asia Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	12. Middle East & Africa Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	13. Key Countries Market Analysis
	14. Market Structure Analysis
	15. Competition Analysis
		15.1. Teledyne e2v
		15.2. Northrop Grumman Corporation
		15.3. Thorlabs Inc.
		15.4. Iris AO, Inc.
		15.5. Adaptica S.R.L.
		15.6. Active Optical Systems LLC
		15.7. OKO Technologies
		15.8. Imagine Optic Sa
		15.9. Boston Micromachines Corporation
		15.10. Phasics CORP
	16. Assumptions & Acronyms Used
	17. Research Methodology
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