Analysis Finds Strong Optoelectronics Market

One of the strongest years in the past decade for the optoelectronics market was 2004, according to a report from the Optoelectronics Industry Development Association.

Market analysis revealed that the total revenue for optoelectronic components and enabled products reached $236 billion, an increase of 39 percent over 2003. It showed strong growth in optoelectronic applications, including the optical communications business, which grew by 10 percent, the computing sector, by 31 percent, and the consumer/entertainment segment, by 72 percent. The area of optoelectronic components, including displays, increased by 33 percent.

The report indicates that a number of optoelectronics businesses performed above expectations last year. The development of high-brightness LEDs and flat panel displays for computers and televisions has contributed to this upswing, along with advances in imaging array sensor applications, including the digital camera and the camera phone. The expanded use of diode lasers, including diode laser-based optical storage, also has strengthened the market. Advances in optical disk technology generated by blue diode lasers are expected to feed the growth of the DVD player market, the findings suggest.

Based on further research and a review of industry trends, the association predicts a similar market performance in 2005.