Microbolometer Market - Global Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The global microbolometer market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.06% during the forecast period and will reach a market size of US$811.873 million by 2028 from an initial value of US$442.308 million in 2021.

The microbolometer, a prevalent uncooled detector, operates on microelectromechanical (MEM) technology. It functions as a bolometer, utilizing a material with temperature-dependent electrical resistance to detect radiant heat. Specifically designed for thermal cameras, the microbolometer responds to infrared light in the 7.5 to 14 μm wavelength range, causing variations in its electrical resistance.

Market Drivers:

• Improvement in security measures.

The dynamic growth of the microbolometer market can be attributed to the expansion of its applications and rising demand for security measures, such as thermal cameras employing microbolometers. For instance, in November 2021, Lynred announced enhancements in its 12 µm infrared detectors, based on microbolometer technology, to enhance optronic systems' capabilities for recognizing objects in low-contrast scenarios. The improved thermal sensitivity of these detectors broadens their utility, extending to various applications, including outdoor recreation during dusk or nighttime hours. This exemplifies how the utilization of microbolometers is expanding across different sectors.

The growing installation of surveillance systems and product innovations is another significant factor influencing the market. Additionally, technological advancements in bolometers have expanded their applications, enabling the study of distant galaxies, cosmic microwave background radiation, and exoplanets.

• Growing applicability in aerospace & defense.

The aerospace and defense sector places the most stringent demands on microbolometers. This is particularly evident in measurement tasks where the aerospace industry necessitates infrared cameras with exceptionally high thermal resolutions, such as 20 millikelvin (20 km), or high frame rates exceeding 100 Hz. As a result, precise evaluations of aero engines' thermal performance are conducted, ensuring compliance with rigorous safety and reliability standards set by aviation authorities. These evaluations often involve efficient fault analyses facilitated by advanced infrared camera systems. For instance, Teledyne DALSA's long-wave infrared detectors, which are based on vanadium oxide (VOx) microbolometers, encompass a wavelength range from 8 to 14 µm. These detectors offer industry-leading performance and find wide application in the aerospace and defense sector.

Additionally, the expansion of the market is attributed to several critical factors, with one of the prominent drivers being the rising government investments in the aerospace and defense sectors. For instance, in March 2021, Lynred, a company specializing in infrared detectors for the aerospace, military, and consumer sectors, revealed its plan to allocate €2.8 million (equivalent to $3.37 million) toward the development of cutting-edge infrared (IR) detectors. As a part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalizing the microelectronics industry in France, Lynred is set to receive €900,000 (about $1.08 million) in research and development funding from the French government. This investment underscores Lynred's commitment to advancing IR detector technology for various applications.

China is anticipated to grow steadily during the forecast period.

The market is growing owing to the presence of tech giants in the electronics industry, and the growing need for automobile applications combined with the transportation department's focus on individual safety. For instance, as per the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, vehicle sales increased to 26. 86 million units in 2022 from 26.27 million units in 2021. Thereby signifying a 2.1% increase in sales

Moreover, China has the largest population, and one of the main opportunities for the microbolometer market to grow is in this country’s healthcare sector where infrared detectors are used more often in various medical procedures for monitoring purposes. This results in a further notable increase in the country's need for microbolometers. Furthermore, the Chinese microbolometer market is expanding due to the growing use of infrared detectors in the military and defense industry for its well-known ability to keep up an effective security and monitoring system for various operations. The bolstering growth in the defense expenditures and investments made in new technological innovations by China has provided new growth opportunities for microbolometer market demand for infrared and thermographic applications which are majorly used accessories for military and airforce.

Market Developments:

• In September 2023:BAE Systems introduced upgraded features to its TWV640 thermal camera core, specifically engineered for manufacturers creating thermal imaging solutions in sectors such as defense, space exploration, and commercial applications. This advanced technology finds application in various areas like security and surveillance, firefighting vision systems, automotive cameras, and beyond. The TWV640 harnesses the potential of BAE Systems' Athena™ 640 focal plane array, a state-of-the-art uncooled long-wave infrared microbolometer.

Segmentation:

By Materials

• Vanadium Oxide (VOx)
• Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)

By Application

• Aerospace and Defense
• Automotive
• Video Surveillance
• Thermography

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Others
• Middle East, and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• Others