Optical Waveguide Market by Type, Refractive Index, Material, Mode Structure, Interconnection Level, Application

List of Tables

[184 Pages Report] The Optical Waveguide Market size was estimated at USD 7.23 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 7.78 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 7.80% to reach USD 12.24 billion by 2030.

The optical waveguide is a spatially inhomogeneous structure that guides electromagnetic waves across the optical spectrum. Optical waveguides contain a region of the increased refractive index, known as cladding, compared with the surrounding medium. Optical waveguides are deployed as components in integrated optical circuits and also as the transmission medium in local and long-haul optical communication systems. The surge in the number of data centers & prominent use of high-performance computers, and fiber expansion to the home with the rise of smart home & smart city projects is accelerating the use of optical waveguides. Design and fabrication issues associated with optical waveguide solutions hamper the market growth. The designing of optical waveguides requires skilled personnel in physics and engineering as they need to meet unique requirements and mainly rely on a specific set of waveguide transmission protocols. Moreover, the advancement of nanomaterial optical waveguides enables the integration of high-density compact photonics and 3-D printing of waveguides.

KEY MARKET STATISTICS
Base Year [2023]	USD 7.23 billion
Estimated Year [2024]	USD 7.78 billion
Forecast Year [2030]	USD 12.24 billion
CAGR (%)	7.80%

Type: Increasing integration of planar optical waveguides into optical circuits

A nonplanar optical waveguide comprises two-dimensional transverse optical confinement; the core is surrounded by cladding in all transverse directions. A nonplanar channel waveguide (with guidance in both directions) has a guiding structure as a stripe with a finite width. Planar waveguides, or slab waveguides, are waveguides with planar geometry, which guide light only in one dimension. The core in planar optical waveguide is sandwiched between cladding layers in only one direction and is primarily used for high-power waveguide lasers and amplifiers.

Refractive Index: Growing demand for graded Index optical waveguides for long-distance and high-speed communication systems

Graded index optical fibers have a refractive index that decreases from the center outwards, allowing for efficient long-distance, high-speed communication by guiding light via total internal reflection with minimal loss and dispersion. They can achieve bandwidths up to 10 Tbps and are preferred for long-haul networks. Step index optical fibers have an abrupt refractive index change at the boundary between the core and cladding. They guide light through the core using total internal reflection at the core-cladding interface. Step index fibers are cheaper and more durable but have higher modal dispersion and lower bandwidth, around 100 Gbps. They are suitable for short to medium-range connections where flexibility and cost are priorities. Graded index fibers excel in performance for long-distance high-speed links, and step-index fibers have advantages in cost and durability for shorter connections. Continuous innovation by major manufacturers ensures optical networks progress to meet increasing bandwidth demands and access requirements.

Material: Expanding inclination toward glass optical waveguides for optical routing and splitting in telecom networks

Electro-optic waveguides are designed based on changing the refractive index of the core layer with an external voltage. Materials used for electro-optic waveguides can be lithium niobate (LiNbO3), lithium tantalate (LiTaO3), barium titanate (BaTiO3), and electro-optic polymers. Glass optical fibers have higher information transmission capacity with lower loss and are ideal in corrosive environments or extreme temperatures. Polymer optical waveguides are attractive transmission mediums for hybrid integrating photonic devices or chips in on-board optical interconnection networks, owing to their flexible wiring capability and cost-effective integration ability. Semiconductor optical waveguides are important to modern integrated optoelectronic systems, especially for electrically active devices. Applications include semiconductor lasers, optical filters, switches, modulators, isolators, and photodetectors. Silicon waveguides are fabricated using Si core and SiO2 cladding with low transmission loss and good light confinement and are used to carry the optical signals across the chip.

Mode Structure: Rising usage of single-mode waveguides for networks requiring long-reach

Multi-mode waveguides have a larger core diameter, allowing multiple modes of light to travel through them. They carry more optical power but suffer from modal dispersion, which causes signal distortion. Multi-mode waveguides are cheaper to produce and more robust, suitable for shorter transmission distances. Single-mode waveguides have a small core diameter that only allows one mode of light to propagate. They produce high bandwidth and low signal loss over long distances. However, they require precise manufacturing and are more expensive. Single-mode waveguides are preferred for long-haul, metropolitan, and FTTx networks.

Interconnection Level: Emerging adoption of rack-level interconnection-based optical waveguides that enable high-speed connectivity

Board-to-board optical interconnection level refers to connecting multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) within a system using optical waveguides. The need for high bandwidth, reduced signal loss over longer distances, and immunity to electromagnetic interference makes optical interconnects preferable over copper traces for board-to-board connections. Chip-to-chip optical interconnection includes connecting integrated circuits (chips) on the same PCB or package using optical waveguides. The demand for higher bandwidth, density, and energy efficiency is driving the adoption of optical chip-to-chip interconnects. Long-haul interconnection connects systems across longer distances, from meters to kilometers apart. Long-haul interconnects are typically used to link data centers, network nodes, and telecommunication infrastructures. Rack-to-rack interconnection includes optical connections between racks, cabinets, and enclosures in a data center. Rack-level interconnections allow high-bandwidth links between servers and networking equipment in a rack and between multiple racks.

Application: Rising application of optical waveguides in telecommunication due to their less susceptible nature

Optical waveguides are critical for applications including guided munitions, laser tracking systems, and satellites in the aerospace & defense sector. The demand for precision and reliable connectivity over long distances makes optical waveguides ideal for navigation systems, targeting equipment, and laser monitoring systems in aircraft and weaponry. The consumer electronics segment uses optical waveguides for applications, including wearable devices, AR/VR headsets, and smart home devices. Optical waveguides enable high-speed data transmission in compact form factors. Optical waveguides are used in data centers & high-performance computing for low-power, high-bandwidth data transfer over short and long distances. Various monitoring, measurement, and automation equipment in industries including oil & gas, mining, and manufacturing utilize optical waveguides. They are used in devices such as laser rangefinders, interferometers, gyroscopes, and laser levels for precision measurement and alignment. In the medical field, optical waveguides are used in various instruments for non-invasive diagnosis and treatment. Endoscopes utilize bundles of optical fibers to illuminate and provide visualization of the internal anatomy. In metrology, optical waveguides are integral components of interferometers used to make precise measurements. In the telecommunications industry, optical waveguides form the backbone of communication systems that transmit information over long distances. Thin filaments of glass or plastic, called optical fibers, are used to transmit laser or light pulses that represent digital data. Optical communication systems are used for both long-distance telecommunications as well as local area networks within buildings.

Regional Insights

International players are making strategic acquisitions & expansions for optical fiber production to implement next-gen communications. Increase in internet-enabled devices has promoted the demand for high-speed data which is in turn shaping the optical waveguides that enable the high-speed transfer of a large amount of data in Americas. Moreover, the American government supports plans to provide high speed internet infrastructure which boost the optical waveguide market. The EU's new telecom regulatory framework promotes fiber network investment to improve the broadband coverage of all EU countries. European companies are signing agreements to accelerate fiber optic rollout across Europe. The increasing deployment of newer data centers in Europe fuels the optical waveguide market growth. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth because of the rise in the telecommunication capital in the region. The presence of several photonics start-up players in the region is supporting the optical waveguide market growth. Data centers' increasing adoption of high-speed cloud computing will likely boost demand for optical waveguides in the region. China has the major fiber-optic companies focussing on research and development in optoelectronics and optical fiber communications.

FPNV Positioning Matrix

The FPNV Positioning Matrix is pivotal in evaluating the Optical Waveguide Market. It offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining key metrics related to Business Strategy and Product Satisfaction. This in-depth analysis empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success: Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

Market Share Analysis

The Market Share Analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth examination of the current state of vendors in the Optical Waveguide Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions in terms of overall revenue, customer base, and other key metrics, we can offer companies a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With this expanded level of detail, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Key Company Profiles

The report delves into recent significant developments in the Optical Waveguide Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Aksh OptiFibre Ltd., ALLIED WIRE AND CABLE INC., Belden Inc., Birla Cable Ltd., BJG Electronics Inc., Coherent Corp., CommScope, Inc., Comstar Supply, Corning Incorporated, Digi-Key Electronics Germany GmbH, DigiLens Inc., Fiber Instruments Sales Inc., Fiber Optics For Sale Co., Fiberinthebox, Fujikura Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Futong Group Company Ltd., GAO Tek, Inc., Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd., Holographix LLC, IBS Electronics Inc., Impulse Technologies, Infinite Cables Inc., Lumus Ltd., M2Optics, Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Mouser Electronics Inc., Multicom, Inc., NEC Corporation, Nedco, OFS Fitel, LLC, Optical Cable Corporation, Prysmian S.p.A., SAB Brockskes GmbH & Co. KG, Shanghai Tangpin Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Sopto Technology Co., Ltd., Sterlite Technologies Limited, Structured Cable Products Inc., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., SUSS MicroOptics SA, Teem Photonics, Texcan, a Sonepar Company, The Light Connection, Inc., TVC Canada, a division of Wesco International, Wave Optics Ltd., Waveguide Optical Technologies, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company, and ZTT International Ltd..

Market Segmentation & Coverage

This research report categorizes the Optical Waveguide Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Type
- Nonplanar
- Planar

Refractive Index
- Graded Index
- Step Index

Material
- Electro-Optic
- Glass
- Polymer
- Semiconductor
- Silicon

Mode Structure
- Multi-Mode
- Single-Mode

Interconnection Level
- Board-To-Board Optical Interconnection
- Chip-To-Chip Optical Interconnection
- Long-Haul Interconnection
- Rack-to-Rack Interconnection

Application
- Aerospace & Defense
- Consumer Electronics
- Data Center & High-Performance Computing (HPC)
- Industrial
- Medical
- Metrology
- Telecommunication

Region
- Americas
  - Argentina
  - Brazil
  - Canada
  - Mexico
  - United States
    - California
    - Florida
    - Illinois
    - New York
    - Ohio
    - Pennsylvania
    - Texas
- Asia-Pacific
  - Australia
  - China
  - India
  - Indonesia
  - Japan
  - Malaysia
  - Philippines
  - Singapore
  - South Korea
  - Taiwan
  - Thailand
  - Vietnam

Europe, Middle East & Africa
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Israel
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Poland
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom

The report offers valuable insights on the following aspects:

1. Market Penetration: It presents comprehensive information on the market provided by key players.

2. Market Development: It delves deep into lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the penetration across mature market segments.

3. Market Diversification: It provides detailed information on new product launches, untapped geographic regions, recent developments, and investments.

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: It conducts an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players.

5. Product Development & Innovation: It offers intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments.

The report addresses key questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Optical Waveguide Market?

2. Which products, segments, applications, and areas should one consider investing in over the forecast period in the Optical Waveguide Market?

3. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Optical Waveguide Market?

4. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Optical Waveguide Market?

5. Which modes and strategic moves are suitable for entering the Optical Waveguide Market?

Product Code: MRR-F611BFBC634C

1. Preface

1.1. Objectives of the Study
1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage
1.3. Years Considered for the Study
1.4. Currency & Pricing
1.5. Language
1.6. Stakeholders

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Define: Research Objective
2.2. Determine: Research Design
2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument
2.4. Collect: Data Source
2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation
2.6. Formulate: Data Verification
2.7. Publish: Research Report
2.8. Repeat: Report Update

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Overview

5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics
- 5.1.1. Drivers
  - 5.1.1.1. Expansion of fiber-to-the-home services with the rise of smart home and smart city projects
  - 5.1.1.2. Surging number of data centers and prominent use of high-performance computers
  - 5.1.1.3. Growing investment and deployment of 5G communication networks worldwide
- 5.1.2. Restraints
  - 5.1.2.1. Technical & operational limitations of optical waveguides
- 5.1.3. Opportunities
  - 5.1.3.1. Advancements in nanomaterial optical waveguide enabling integration of high-density compact photonics and 3D-printing of waveguides
  - 5.1.3.2. Emerging popularity of AR, VR, and metaverse and introduction of triple-channel waveguides
- 5.1.4. Challenges
  - 5.1.4.1. Accuracy issues in vectorial optical waveguide modeling and designing
5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis
- 5.2.1. Type: Increasing integration of planar optical waveguides into optical circuits
- 5.2.2. Refractive Index: Growing demand for graded Index optical waveguides for long-distance and high-speed communication systems
- 5.2.3. Material: Expanding inclination toward glass optical waveguides for optical routing and splitting in telecom networks
- 5.2.4. Mode Structure: Rising usage of single-mode waveguides for networks requiring long-reach
- 5.2.5. Interconnection Level: Emerging adoption of rack-level interconnection-based optical waveguides that enable high-speed connectivity
- 5.2.6. Application: Rising application of optical waveguides in telecommunication due to their less susceptible nature
5.3. Market Disruption Analysis
5.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 5.4.1. Threat of New Entrants
- 5.4.2. Threat of Substitutes
- 5.4.3. Bargaining Power of Customers
- 5.4.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 5.4.5. Industry Rivalry
5.5. Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
5.6. Pricing Analysis
5.7. Technology Analysis
5.8. Patent Analysis
5.9. Trade Analysis
5.10. Regulatory Framework Analysis

6. Optical Waveguide Market, by Type

6.1. Introduction
6.2. Nonplanar
6.3. Planar

7. Optical Waveguide Market, by Refractive Index

7.1. Introduction
7.2. Graded Index
7.3. Step Index

8. Optical Waveguide Market, by Material

8.1. Introduction
8.2. Electro-Optic
8.3. Glass
8.4. Polymer
8.5. Semiconductor
8.6. Silicon

9. Optical Waveguide Market, by Mode Structure

9.1. Introduction
9.2. Multi-Mode
9.3. Single-Mode

10. Optical Waveguide Market, by Interconnection Level

10.1. Introduction
10.2. Board-To-Board Optical Interconnection
10.3. Chip-To-Chip Optical Interconnection
10.4. Long-Haul Interconnection
10.5. Rack-to-Rack Interconnection

11. Optical Waveguide Market, by Application

11.1. Introduction
11.2. Aerospace & Defense
11.3. Consumer Electronics
11.4. Data Center & High-Performance Computing (HPC)
11.5. Industrial
11.6. Medical
11.7. Metrology
11.8. Telecommunication

12. Americas Optical Waveguide Market

12.1. Introduction
12.2. Argentina
12.3. Brazil
12.4. Canada
12.5. Mexico
12.6. United States

13. Asia-Pacific Optical Waveguide Market

13.1. Introduction
13.2. Australia
13.3. China
13.4. India
13.5. Indonesia
13.6. Japan
13.7. Malaysia
13.8. Philippines
13.9. Singapore
13.10. South Korea
13.11. Taiwan
13.12. Thailand
13.13. Vietnam

14. Europe, Middle East & Africa Optical Waveguide Market

14.1. Introduction
14.2. Denmark
14.3. Egypt
14.4. Finland
14.5. France
14.6. Germany
14.7. Israel
14.8. Italy
14.9. Netherlands
14.10. Nigeria
14.11. Norway
14.12. Poland
14.13. Qatar
14.14. Russia
14.15. Saudi Arabia
14.16. South Africa
14.17. Spain
14.18. Sweden
14.19. Switzerland
14.20. Turkey
14.21. United Arab Emirates
14.22. United Kingdom

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023
15.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023
15.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis
- 15.3.1. Pasternack Launches New Waveguide Mixers, Detectors and Couplers
- 15.3.2. QuinStar Technology Inc. Acquires A-Alpha Waveguide
- 15.3.3. DigiLens Inc. Announces Partnership with OMNIVISION to Further Advance Extended Reality and Imaging
- 15.3.4. Vuzix Leases New Manufacturing Space to Support the Expansion of Its Waveguide Production Capacity

(PRNewsfoto/Vuzix Corporation)

15.3.5. Tencent Invests in Optical Waveguide Chip Firm OptiArk Semiconductor
15.3.6. Gapwaves Acquires Metasum AB
15.3.7. Diffractive Waveguide Pioneer Dispelix Announces R&D Partnership with Advanced MicroLED Manufacturer JBD for Multiple, Next-Generation AR Glasses Reference Designs
15.3.8. Waveguide Maker DigiLens Announces New Investment at $530M Valuation
15.3.9. New Product Preview: 1μm Waveguide Product Range

15.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendation

16. Competitive Portfolio

16.1. Key Company Profiles
16.2. Key Product Portfolio