Specialty Optical Fibers Show Growth Potential

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 3 -- The worldwide consumption value of a selected group of specialty optical fiber is expected to increase 28 percent this year, from $155 million to $199 million, according to ElectroniCast Corp.

The market forecasting company said it studied ten separate fiber types that all show "very impressive growth." A few near-term standouts, in value potential, include polarizing (PZ), ytterbium, dispersion-compensating and photosensitive fibers. Attention is also given to fabrication and materials, such as "holey" fibers (photonic crystal fibers), as well as multimode potentials.

"Another exciting fiber that we will be tracking is Ytterbium (Yb), for the high-power visible source product-area," said Stephen Montgomery, ElectroniCast president.

For more information, visit: www.electronicast.com