Adaptive Optics Technology Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The adaptive optics technology market is estimated to grow at 19.83% (CAGR) from US$1.62 billion in 2024 to US$4.01 billion in 2029.

Adaptive optics technology enhances the performance of an optical system by manipulating the optical wavefront, which results in an improved final output. The four aspects considered while choosing the correct deformed mirror for the applications are surface type, actuation technology, number of actuators, and dimensions.

Owing to its manipulative nature the technology finds applicability in imaging and non-imaging activities across various spectrums such as healthcare, manufacturing, astronomy, defense, and communication & technology. The bolstering growth in such major end-users demands the usage of modern optical solutions to provide better imaging which is anticipated to drive the demand for adaptive optics technology. Moreover, implementing various research projects associated with optical technology further acts as an additional driving factor.

Adaptive Optics Technology Market Drivers:

Favorable investments in astronomy have propelled the overall market expansion.

Adaptive optics, by removing atmospheric differences, allows the telescope to capture diffraction-limited images and observe finer details of objects that are otherwise harder to see from the ground. The growing space exploration activities to better understand the universe have accelerated the scope of demand and usage of advanced optical technologies. This has resulted in various new investments simultaneously, thereby augmenting the overall market expansion.

For instance, in January 2024, an Australian-French consortium headed by Macquarie University won an AUD15 million international tender to develop adaptive optics for the Gemini North Telescope located in Hawaii. The adaptive optics would remove blur from turbulence in the atmosphere, thereby providing new possibilities for scientific discoveries for the researchers.

Growing demand from the defense sector has propelled the market growth.

Adaptive optics, owing to their ability to remove atmospheric turbulence and precise imaging, are finding their way into military applications such as laser-based weapon systems. Witnessing the potential of such technology, major nations are eyeing to invest in it to further improve their long-range weapons system. For instance, in May 2023, the Department of Defense announced investments of US$150 million under its APFIT (Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies) pilot program to develop tools to enhance US war fight capability. The investment includes funding of US$16.77 million for integrated air-defense cameras.

Adaptive Optics Technology Market Geographical Outlook

North America is expected to account for a significant share

The North American market will grow due to the widespread deployment of this technology across various industry verticals, such as defense and security, astronomy, and healthcare, among others. The US defense and security system uses this technology for its airborne and ground-based missile defense systems, and it is estimated that this will surge further due to increased defense spending.

According to the United States Senate Committee of Armed Services, for FY2024, the Department of Defense was granted US$841.4 billion, which represented a significant increase of 9% over the FY2023 defense budget. Hence, various collaborative efforts on the research front are also being witnessed. For instance, in October 2023, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass-Amherst) was awarded a US$5 million grant from the Healey Driscoll Administration to establish an R&D facility in UMass. It focuses on the development of advanced optical technologies that will have applicability in defense, biotechnology, environmental monitoring, and consumer electronics.  

The Asia Pacific will also drive the market for global adaptive optics technology due to the rise in research and development activities and technical improvements being made in this field.

Adaptive Optics Technology Market Key Developments

• November 2023: Swinburne University of Technology formed a partnership with W.M. Keck Observatory, which will enable the former to make high-impact scientific discoveries. The partnership further involves using various new technological solutions & software, including advanced optics. It would also put Australia at the forefront of the field of space and technology.
• November 2022: Fielman Ventures agreed to acquire a 10% equity stake in Deep Optics, which specializes in developing electro-optics space. The acquisition would enable the latter to further its groundbreaking technology development and scale its adaptive optics vision correction.
• July 2022: W.M Keck Observatory formed a partnership with ALPAO for the development of next-generation high-performance adaptive optics for the Keck II 10-meter telescope. The development was part of the HAKA (High Order All-Sky Keck Adaptive Optics) project.
• May 2021: Zebra Technologies Corporation launched “Machine Vision Smart Cameras” and “Fixed Industrial Cameras”, which enable tracking the quality and capabilities inspection of manufacturing work in process.

Adaptive Optics Technology Market Players and Products

• Adaptive Optics Kits: Thorlabs offers adaptive optics Kits, which are developed to enhance the clarity of blurry images by resolving atmospheric distortions. These kits are widely used for research and education purposes.
• Standard Polymer Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE): Holoeye offers this product, which is designed from fused silica glass. Each DOE is equipped with an anti-reflective coating on a flat surface. Compared to other DOE materials, the standard DOEs are more efficient, scratch-proof, and can easily withstand UV radiation.

The Adaptive Optics Technology Market Segmentation:

By Component

• Control System
• Wavefront Modulator
• Wavefront Sensor

By Industry Verticals

• Astronomy
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Defense
• Communication and Technology
• Consumer Electronics

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Taiwan
• Others