Global Semiconductor Laser Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Fiber Optic Laser, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Blue Laser, Green Laser, Infrared Laser, Red Laser, and Other Type), By Application, By Regional Outlook and Foreca

Global Semiconductor Laser Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Fiber Optic Laser, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Blue Laser, Green Laser, Infrared Laser, Red Laser, and Other Type), By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031

The Global Semiconductor Laser Market size is expected to reach $14.9 billion by 2031, rising at a market growth of 9.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

Europe’s established industrial base and automotive, telecommunications, and medical device manufacturing leadership support the expansion. Countries like Germany, France, and the U.K. have seen substantial growth in demand for these lasers, particularly in LiDAR systems for autonomous driving, fiber-optic communications, and biomedical research. Consequently, the European region would acquire nearly 30% of the total market share by 2031.

The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product launches as the key developmental strategy to keep pace with the changing demands of end users. For instance, In September, 2024, Coherent Corp. launched high-efficiency InP continuous wave (CW) lasers for silicon photonics modulators in optical transceivers, offering 15% greater power efficiency. These lasers address power consumption challenges and mark a significant advancement in the market. Moreover, in August, 2024, ams OSRAM would launch the SPL S8L91A_3 A01 this fall, featuring an 8-channel 915nm SMT pulsed laser. This innovative laser boosts LiDAR performance for autonomous driving with 1000W peak optical power, offering enhanced reliability, compactness, and versatility across various applications.

Market Growth Factors

The telecommunications industry has become a major consumer of these lasers, especially for optical fiber communication systems, which are vital for high-speed data transmission. With the rollout of 5G networks worldwide, the need for these lasers has intensified. These lasers are essential in the optical links that connect data centers, base stations, and telecommunication towers, ensuring low latency and high bandwidth for 5G communication. Hence, all these elements will drive the expansion of the market throughout the forecast period.

Devices such as DVD and Blu-ray players have historically used these lasers for reading and writing data, offering an efficient and compact solution for high-density optical storage. As the consumer electronics industry evolves, new technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D sensing are gaining prominence. Thus, as the need for these innovative features grows, the demand for these lasers continues to rise.

Market Restraining Factors

The production of these lasers is known for being highly capital-intensive, largely due to the sophisticated and complex nature of the manufacturing process. In addition to material costs, establishing a laser manufacturing facility requires substantial investment in infrastructure. Hence, these factors significantly raise the cost of production, limiting the market's growth.

Type Outlook

Based on type, the market is segmented into fiber optic laser, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, blue laser, red laser, green laser, infrared laser, and others. The vertical cavity surface emitting lasers segment procured 20% revenue share in the market in 2023. The growth of the VCSEL segment is largely fueled by its use in optical communication, sensing, and 3D imaging technologies. VCSELs are key components in devices such as LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles, 3D facial recognition in smartphones, and data transmission in short-range optical networks.

Application Outlook

On the basis of application, the market is classified into medial & aesthetic, instruments & sensors, aerospace, defense, & military, material processing, communications & optical storage, entertainment, displays & printing, and others. The entertainment, displays & printing segment witnessed 15% revenue share in the market in 2023. Laser-based technologies have become popular in applications like laser projectors, displays, and high-quality printing systems.

Regional Outlook

Region-wise, the semiconductor laser market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The North America segment procured 36% revenue share in the semiconductor laser market in 2023. The growth of the segment is driven by the strong presence of major technology companies, extensive use of semiconductor lasers in telecommunications, defense, and healthcare, and robust investments in R&D.

Recent Strategies Deployed in the Market

• May-2024: Hamamatsu Photonics has completed the acquisition of NKT Photonics, combining their light source, laser, and detector technologies. This merger aims to enhance offerings in semiconductor, quantum, and medical fields, providing integrated solutions for advanced markets, including quantum computing.
• May-2024: IPG Photonics Corporation introduces the LightWELD 2000 XR, a cutting-edge handheld laser welder featuring 2 kilowatts of power. This model boosts welding speed and material thickness capabilities, providing higher energy density and faster processing. It is also compatible with the LightWELD Cobot System for seamless automation.
• Mar-2024: Sony Semiconductor Solutions, subsidiary of Sony Corporation has inaugurated Building 4 at Sony Device Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. This new fab will focus on assembling image sensors and laser diodes, generate 2,000 jobs, and run entirely on renewable energy, boosting both production and sustainability.
• Nov-2023: Nichia Corporation is set to launch in-house produced high-power red laser diodes in Spring 2024. These new LDs will enhance laser projectors with superior efficiency and output, improving color reproduction and brightness for various applications.
• Nov-2023: IPG Photonics Corporation and Miller Electric are teaming up to advance handheld laser welding technology. This partnership aims to combine IPG’s fiber laser expertise with Miller’s welding experience to deliver innovative, precise, and efficient welding solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled

• Coherent Corp.
• SHARP Corporation
• Nichia Corporation
• IPG Photonics Corporation
• Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
• Panasonic Holdings Corporation
• Sony Corporation
• ams-OSRAM AG
• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• Renesas Electronics Corporation

Global Semiconductor Laser Market Report Segmentation

By Type

• Fiber Optic Laser
• Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers
• Blue Laser
• Green Laser
• Infrared Laser
• Red Laser
• Other Type

By Application

• Communications & Optical Storage
• Entertainment, Displays & Printing
• Aerospace, Defense, and Military
• Medical & Aesthetic
• Material Processing
• Instruments & Sensors
• Other Application

By Geography

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Russia
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• LAMEA
• Brazil
• Argentina
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Rest of LAMEA