How Will the Adaptive Optics and Telescope Industries Help Each Other Evolve?

Adaptive Optics is a technology that corrects the distortion in an image caused by natural effects such as air turbulence and change in the local temperature and atmosphere.

The agile development of professional astronomy, plus the growing awareness regarding the benefits of using lightweight materials in manufacturing, are expected to offer positive momentum to the adaptive optics component market during the forecast period, 2019–2026.

Telescope technology is evolving and is close to the next generation of discoveries, which offer an opportunity for the introduction and use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) in the manufacturing of telescopes and optics.

Segmental Insights

The global adaptive optics components market has been segmented on the basis of type, application, and region.

On the basis of type, the adaptive optics components market has been segmented into wavefront sensors, wavefront modulators, control systems, and others.

The wavefront sensor segment is projected to register an increase in demand, in part due to the growth of the biomedical sector.

This has also contributed to increasing the application of wavefront sensors in ophthalmology in recent years.

By application, the adaptive optics components market has been segmented into consumer goods, astronomy, military & defense, biomedical, and others.

Recently, the use of adaptive optics has become more popular in astronomy to improve image resolution, which is expected to fuel the growth of the adaptive optics component market in the segment.

Regional Analysis

Geographically, the global adaptive optics component market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East and Africa (LAMEA).

North America is expected to witness significant growth, owing to the increasing focus on the development of advanced optics systems and their adoption in the astronomical field for the delivery of sharper images.

Adequate support from government agencies in terms of funding for the development of advanced telescopes and astronomical equipment is also pegged to be a key factor favoring the market growth.

For instance, in April 2015, the Canadian Federal Government announced funding of approximately USD 234.5 million for the development of a 30-meter telescope, which would help astronomers study the outer reaches of the known universe.

Europe is expected to witness considerable growth in the adaptive optics components market during the forecast period, 2019–2026. This can be attributed to the key role of technology in the success of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) project.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness substantial growth in the adaptive optics technology market. It should be noted though that while adaptive optics significantly improve image quality, the high cost of the overall system is a factor that restricts the market growth in the region.

The LAMEA region is expected to witness moderate growth, due to the integration of high-end adaptive optics in military vehicles and equipment for the enhancement of surveillance efficiency.

Key Players

Some of the major players identified in the adaptive optics component market are Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.), Iris AO, Inc. (U.S.), HOLOEYE Photonics AG (Germany), A.D.S. International S.r.l. (Italy) and Canon Inc. (Japan).

Segmentation

By Type

• Wavefront sensors
• Wavefront Modulators
• Control Systems
• Others

By Application

• Consumer Goods
• Astronomy Military & Defense Biomedical
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia
• Pacific
• LAMEA

Previously published here.