Quantum Cascade Laser Market Size, Share & Analysis

Updated on : Sep 12, 2024

Quantum Cascade Laser Market Size & Growth

The quantum cascade laser market is projected to grow from USD 429 million in 2023 to USD 533 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2028. The increasing use of quantum cascade lasers in gas sensing and chemical detection applications and the growing demand for QCLs in healthcare and medical diagnostics are among the factors driving the growth of the quantum cascade laser industry.

Quantum Cascade Laser Market Forecast to 2028

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Quantum Cascade Laser Market Trends & Dynamics

Driver: Growing demand for quantum cascade lasers in healthcare and medical diagnostics

Quantum Cascade Lasers are rapidly being used in medical diagnostics for non-invasive spectroscopy, breath analysis, and disease diagnosis. They provide precise and accurate measurements, making them useful in fields like breath analysis for disease diagnosis, blood glucose monitoring, and cancer biomarker detection. QCLs have transformed non-invasive spectroscopic analysis in healthcare. They produce light in the mid-infrared region, which correlates to the absorption bands of numerous compounds in biological samples. Identifying and quantifying biomarkers and analytes in biological fluids, tissues, and breath samples is possible with QCL-based spectroscopy, enabling early identification of diseases and monitoring.

Restraint: High costs of QCL-based devices

QCLs are currently more expensive than other laser technologies. The complicated manufacturing process, specific materials, and developing design factors contribute to its increased cost. This cost aspect may limit their broad use, particularly in price-sensitive applications or industries. QCL-based devices use expensive wafers and complicated circuitry, which results in significant development costs, making them pricey. Furthermore, developing custom QCL-based devices is expensive, resulting in high device costs as firms are required to create QCLs for a specific wavelength within the mid-infrared range. Compared to other laser technologies, QCLs are frequently produced in lesser numbers, and modifications may be necessary to fulfill specific application needs. Additionally, the requirement for particular manufacturing setups, individualized testing, lesser economies of scale, customization, and low-volume production might result in higher prices.

Opportunity: Use of quantum cascade lasers in industrial and environmental monitoring

QCLs are suitable for industrial and environmental monitoring. They are useful for detecting and analyzing trace gases and contaminants due to their great sensitivity, precision, and selectivity. Opportunities exist in areas where QCL-based sensors and systems can increase efficiency, compliance, and environmental sustainability, such as gas sensing, emissions monitoring, industrial process control, and air quality monitoring. QCLs monitor air quality in cities, industrial zones, and indoor spaces. QCL-based sensors can detect and measure a variety of air pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. These sensors give continuous, real-time data that can be used to analyze air quality, identify pollution sources, and perform targeted mitigation actions.

Challenge: Manufacturing complexities of quantum cascade lasers

QCLs require complex manufacturing processes such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). MBE is an accurate and controlled deposition process that involves the growth of multiple layers of semiconductor materials with specific compositions and thicknesses, resulting in the precise layer structures required for QCL operation. The manufacturing process is complex and time-consuming, which raises production costs. Furthermore, QCLs’ sensitivity to material flaws and faults can reduce production yields, restricting their availability and increasing costs. The manufacturing complexity of QCL devices comes from the requirement to achieve exact control over material properties, layer architectures, and device shape. Each phase necessitates specialized equipment, experience, and tight quality control procedures. Manufacturing techniques, equipment, and process optimization are constantly being improved to meet these challenges and improve the scalability, yield, and cost-effectiveness of QCL devices.

Quantum Cascade Laser Market Ecosystem

The prominent players in the Quantum Cascade Laser market are Thorlabs, Inc. (US), Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Japan), MirSense (France),  Emerson Electric Co. (US), and Block Engineering. (US). These companies have been operating in the market for several years and possess a diversified product portfolio, state-of-the-art technologies, and strong global sales and marketing networks.

Distributed Feedback QCLs accounted for the largest market share during forecast period.

Distributed feedback (DFB) technology is widely used in QCLs due to its advantages, including single-mode operation, narrow linewidth, stable and reliable performance, single-frequency emission, and compact design. DFB-QCLs offer precise and selective wavelength emission, making them suitable for applications like spectroscopy and telecommunications. Their narrow linewidth enables high spectral purity and coherent beam propagation. The inherent stability of DFB-QCLs ensures consistent operation, which is crucial for applications such as industrial process control and defense systems. The compact design and integration-friendly nature of DFB-QCLs make them ideal for portable devices and facilitate their adoption in various fields, including environmental sensing and medical diagnostics.

Continuous wave operation mode accounted for the largest market share during the forecast period.

Continuous wave (CW) technology is widely used in the QCL market because it provides a constant and stable output of laser light, ensuring reliable performance in applications such as spectroscopy and process monitoring. CW operation also enables longer integration times, resulting in improved sensitivity and accuracy for applications like gas sensing and molecular spectroscopy. The simplified system design of CW-QCLs reduces complexity. It enhances reliability, while their high wall-plug efficiencies contribute to efficient power consumption, making them suitable for portable and battery-operated devices. Overall, the benefits of CW technology drive its widespread adoption in industrial QCL applications.

Industrial Applications accounted for the largest market share during the forecast period.

QCLs are extensively used in industrial applications due to their high power and brightness, wide wavelength coverage, rapid pulse generation, long-term stability, compactness, solid-state nature, and high sensitivity and selectivity for gas sensing. These characteristics enable QCLs to be employed in laser material processing, spectroscopy, gas sensing, industrial process monitoring, and environmental sensing. QCLs offer efficient and reliable performance, precise control over emitted wavelengths, and robustness in demanding industrial environments. Their versatility and compatibility with industrial systems have made QCLs a preferred choice for various industrial sectors, facilitating process optimization, quality control, and advanced analytical capabilities.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region is witnessing rapid industrialization and significant investments in research and development. This, coupled with the emerging defense and security applications, large consumer electronics market, and government support, is expected to drive the growth of the Quantum cascade laser (QCL) market in the region. The demand for advanced sensing technologies, laser-based applications, and solutions offered by QCLs in industries such as automotive, electronics, healthcare, and telecommunications will contribute to the market’s expansion. The Asia Pacific region’s focus on innovation, defense capabilities, and government initiatives positions it as a key player in the growing QCL industry.

Quantum Cascade Laser Market by Region

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Top Quantum Cascade Laser Companies - Key Market Players

The major players in the Quantum Cascade Laser companies include Thorlabs, Inc. (US), Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Japan), MirSense (France),  Emerson Electric Co. (US), Block Engineering. (US), Wavelength Electronics, Inc. (US), Daylight Solutions. (US), Alpes Lasers (Switzerland), nanoplus Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH (Germany), and Akela Laser Corporation (US). These companies have used organic and inorganic growth strategies, such as product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships, to strengthen their position in the market.

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Scope of the Report

Quantum Cascade Laser Market Highlights

This research report categorizes the Quantum Cascade Laser Market based on by fabrication technology,  operation mode, packaging type, end-user industry, and region.

Recent Developments

• In April 2023, Thorlabs, Inc. launched QD8912HH, which is the ideal laser for Ammonia (NH3) sensing as it includes a collimated output, a standard HHL connector for electrical and temperature control, and a tuning range of 8912 nm for the lasing wavelength.
• In March 2023, Wavelength Electronics, Inc. launched QCL2000 LAB can accurately send up to 2 A to the laser and has good stability and minimal noise. With an average current noise density of 4 nA/Hz, this tabletop instrument demonstrates a noise performance of 1.3 A RMS up to 100 kHz. The QCL driver from Wavelength Electronics allows reliable laser output and low-noise high-definition video streaming at a data rate of 1.485 Gbit/s. As a result, the created QCL system is a reliable tool for actual field uses in free-space communication.
• In March 2022, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. announced the world’s first QCL module with an adjustable frequency range of 0.42 to 2 THz. Hamamatsu’s innovation was made possible by employing cutting-edge optical design technology to analyze the terahertz wave generating principle, which increases the output power of the QCL, and the arrangement of the highly effective external cavity.

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