REPORT SCOPE
INTRODUCTION
“Laser” is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers are not a new invention by any yardstick. Indeed, most of the mainstream laser categories were invented close to 5 decades ago. The newest laser categories covered in this report are fiber lasers, which became commercially available over the last 5 years. The operating philosophy and principles are pretty much the same. In spite of this relative calm on the theoretical front, lasers continue to be part of cutting edge devices across verticals. A cursory look at the applications of lasers reveals that not only are lasers part of the state of the art, they are instrumental in driving the state of the art itself. The continuing appeal of lasers underlines the sovereignty of their value proposition, which can be summed up as coherent, powerful, and pure light.
The generic nature of lasers’ appeal also leads to interesting dilemmas. It is impossible to characterize the laser market as a whole. The picture of its market is a combination of pictures created by the dynamics of the verticals that lasers are employed in and created by the dynamics of raw materials that lasers employ. This disparity is manifested most clearly in the wide range of average selling price values of its modules depending on the application and the energy medium. These values can range from as little as a dollar to tens of thousands of dollars. It would not be out of place to mention that lasers are a fairly accurate indicator of the health of the markets at large.
This report is an attempt to list, elaborate, highlight, and analyze the multitudes of demand and supply side dynamics of lasers at large.
The report focuses on laser modules - lasers at their bare minimum. This distinction is important, as laser modules are available in varied levels of readiness for integration. Customization is the name of the game for lasers, and lasers modules are designed with a particular application in mind more often than not. This report defines a laser module as one that performs basic laser functions of light amplification and focus. The report uses the terms lasers and laser modules interchangeably. The market forecasts do not cover the metrics of the devices that lasers are eventually integrated in.
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This study has the following goals and objectives:
Measuring and forecasting the global market size for laser modules in value (dollar sales) and volume (shipment sales) terms
Breaking down the global laser market along individual energy medium type in value and volume terms: diode, fiber, carbon dioxide, solid-state, excimer, dye, and other gas lasers
Breaking down the global laser market along individual end applications in value and volume terms: telecommunications; instrumentation and scientific research; medicine; energy, defense, and surveillance; computing and entertainment; industrial and automotive; as well as retail and others
Breaking down the global laser market along individual regions in value and volume terms: the Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and Asia Pacific (APAC)
Breaking down the global laser market along value chain contributors: active material, firing source and other components, as well as operating margins
Breaking down the market for individual laser type along individual end applications in value and volume terms: telecommunications; instrumentation and scientific research; medicine; energy, defense, and surveillance; computing and entertainment; industrial and automotive; as well as retail and others
Breaking down the market for individual laser type along individual regions in value and volume terms: the Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and Asia Pacific (APAC)
Breaking down the market for individual laser type along value chain contributors: active material, firing source and other components, as well as operating margins
Breaking down the global laser market along key individual countries in value and volume terms: USA, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, Turkey, China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia
Analyzing the stakeholder landscape in the laser value chain
Analyzing the patenting activity involving laser modules
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The laser market is extremely fragmented at all levels – innovation, design, manufacturing, integration, and sales. While the technology driving lasers is fairly consistent in its underpinnings, there is no single market research study that attempts to present a composite picture of the overall market for lasers and modules spanning major application verticals and major laser types. It is impossible to forecast the market size for laser modules in isolation. One has to consider the extremely varied scenarios that characterize its demand and supply side dynamics. The former is represented by the end application verticals while the latter is manifested in energy media defining the laser types. This report breaks down the laser market along all major categories on both the sides.
In times of economic downturn, it is important to analyze the profitability of engaging in laser manufacturing ventures. This report attempts to quantify the various stages of value additions in laser revenue generation.
A study of lasers is nothing short of a complete macroeconomic analysis. This report provides a granular view of individual country markets in volume and value terms in 17 key nations spanning all global regions.
SCOPE OF THE REPORT
The report forecasts the size of the market in current U.S. dollars as well as in millions of shipment units for lasers from 2011 through 2016.
The report forecasts the market size for the following:
Individual laser types such as diode, fiber, carbon dioxide, solid-state, excimer, dye, and other gas lasers
The above forecasts are classified on the basis of end application vertical, geographical region and seventeen key nations on volume and value bases as well as value chain contributors on value basis.
The Executive Summary provides a snapshot of key findings of the report.
The chapter on theory of lasers and their applications introduces and explains central operating concepts of lasers and then enlists key laser applications.
The chapter on dynamics of laser types highlights differences and also identifies important common threads that run through diverse laser types.
The chapter on global markets provides a 360-degree view of the laser market quantitatively.
The chapter on regional analysis – Americas presents the overall market metrics and overview of the region followed by analyses of individual major countries such as USA, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.
The chapter on regional analysis – EMEA presents the overall market metrics and overview of the region followed by analyses of individual major countries such as Germany, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
The chapter on regional analysis – APAC presents the overall market metrics and overview of the region followed by analyses of individual major countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The chapter on stakeholders and value highlights stakeholder categories and analyzes their activities in this domain and clarifies where and how they fit in the larger picture.
The U.S. Patent Analysis chapter highlights the patenting activity underway in the area of laser modules. The chapter classifies the patents awarded according to categories such as carbon dioxide lasers, dye lasers, excimer lasers, fiber lasers, generic gas lasers, helium based lasers, ion lasers, quantum cascade lasers, general semiconductor lasers, solid-state lasers, and vertical cavity surface-emitting laser VCSELs.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This report will be relevant to the following:
Laser module manufacturers to analyze the market prospects for their offerings broken down by laser type, end application, geographical regions, and key country markets
Allied component suppliers to identify the sunrise and sunset technology trends among lasers
Original equipment manufacturers and other laser integrators to analyze the prospects of the laser technology employed by them in their devices, equipment and products
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in this study. Industry experts were interviewed as primary sources; secondary sources included industry consortia, individual company financial statements, published opinions, and other published sources.
Global Industrial Gases Industry
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
INTRODUCTION 1
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY 2
SCOPE OF THE REPORT 3
INTENDED AUDIENCE 4
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES 4
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 5
RELATED REPORTS 5
BCC ON-LINE SERVICES 5
DISCLAIMER 6
CHAPTER TWO: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7
SUMMARY TABLE DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 7
SUMMARY FIGURE DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS, BY REGION,
2009-2016 ($ MILLIONS) 7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 8
SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 9
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 9
CHAPTER THREE: THEORY OF LASERS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS 10
INTRODUCTION TO LASERS 10
OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF LASERS 10
POPULATION INVERSION 11
CONTINUOUS WAVE AND PULSED LASERS 12
DISTRIBUTED FEEDBACK LASERS 12
MODE LOCKED LASERS 13
APPLICATIONS OF LASERS 14
OPTICAL RECORDABLE MEDIA 14
LASER PRINTERS 15
FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPE 16
PROJECTION APPLICATIONS 16
POINTERS 16
GAS SENSORS 17
LASER MOUSE 17
PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBER LASERS AND
SUPERCONTINUUM GENERATION 17
Self Phase Modulation 18
Raman Scattering 19
Four Wave Mixing 19
FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATION 19
SURGERY 19
SKIN AND TISSUE RESURFACING 19
KIDNEY STONE TREATMENT 20
CUTTING AND WELDING 20
GUIDED SYSTEMS 20
FORENSICS 20
SPEED GUNS 20
BARCODE READERS 21
HOLOGRAMS 21
THERMOMETERS 21
SPECTROSCOPY 21
MODE LOCKING APPLICATIONS 21
COHERENT CONTROL 21
COMBUSTION ENGINES 22
INDUSTRIAL SORTING 22
LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) 22
CHAPTER FOUR: DYNAMICS OF LASER TYPES 23
WHY ARE LASER TYPES IMPORTANT? 23
DIODE LASERS 24
DIODE LASERS (CONTINUED) 25
DIODE LASERS (CONTINUED) 26
DIODE LASERS (CONTINUED) 27
DIODE LASERS (CONTINUED) 28
DIODE LASERS (CONTINUED) 29
VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER (VCSEL) 30
Vertical Cavity Surface-emitting Laser … (Continued) 31
Vertical Cavity Surface-emitting Laser … (Continued) 32
FIBER LASERS 33
BENEFITS OF FIBER LASERS 33
MORPHOLOGY OF FIBER LASER 33
DOUBLE-CLAD OPTICAL FIBERS: A SPECIAL CASE FOR
FIBER LASERS 34
APPLICATION OF PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBER IN FIBER
LASER 34
Application of Photonic … (Continued) 35
Benefits of Photonic Crystal Fiber Lasers over
Conventional Fiber Lasers 36
Benefits of Photonic …(Continued) 37
Photonic Crystal Fibers and Supercontinuum 38
CARBON DIOXIDE LASER 39
CARBON DIOXIDE LASER (CONTINUED) 40
SOLID-STATE LASER 41
SOLID-STATE LASER (CONTINUED) 42
SOLID-STATE LASER (CONTINUED) 43
EXCIMER LASER 44
DYE LASER 45
OTHER GAS LASERS 46
ION LASER 46
HELIUM-NEON (HENE) LASER 47
HELIUM-CADMIUM LASER 47
Helium-cadmium Laser (Continued) 48
CHAPTER FIVE: GLOBAL MARKETS 49
INTRODUCTION 49
OVERALL GLOBAL MARKET 50
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 50
TABLE 1 DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS, BY REGION ($ MILLIONS) 50
TABLE 2 SHIPMENT SALES FOR LASERS, BY REGION, THROUGH
2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 51
LASER TYPE BREAKDOWN 52
TABLE 3 DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS, BY LASER TYPE, THROUGH
2016 ($ MILLIONS) 52
TABLE 4 SHIPMENT SALES FOR LASERS, BY LASER TYPE,
THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 53
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 54
TABLE 5 DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS, BY END APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 54
TABLE 6 SHIPMENT SALES FOR LASERS, BY END APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 55
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 56
TABLE 7 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF LASERS,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 57
DIODE LASERS 58
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 58
TABLE 8 DOLLAR SALES FOR DIODE LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 58
TABLE 9 SHIPMENT SALES FOR DIODE LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 59
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 59
TABLE 10 DOLLAR SALES FOR DIODE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 60
TABLE 11 SHIPMENT SALES FOR DIODE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 61
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 62
TABLE 12 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF DIODE
LASERS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 62
FIBER LASERS 62
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 62
TABLE 13 DOLLAR SALES FOR FIBER LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 63
TABLE 14 SHIPMENT SALES FOR FIBER LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 63
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 64
TABLE 15 DOLLAR SALES FOR FIBER LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 64
TABLE 16 SHIPMENT SALES FOR FIBER LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 65
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 66
TABLE 17 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF FIBER LASERS
, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 66
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS 67
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 67
TABLE 18 DOLLAR SALES FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS, BY
REGION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 67
TABLE 19 SHIPMENT SALES FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS, BY
REGION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 68
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 68
TABLE 20 DOLLAR SALES FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS, BY
END APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 69
TABLE 21 SHIPMENT SALES FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS, BY
END APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 70
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 71
TABLE 22 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF CARBON
DIOXIDE LASERS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 71
SOLID-STATE LASERS 71
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 71
TABLE 23 DOLLAR SALES FOR SOLID-STATE LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 72
TABLE 24 SHIPMENT SALES FOR SOLID-STATE LASERS, BY
REGION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 72
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 73
TABLE 25 DOLLAR SALES FOR SOLID-STATE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 73
TABLE 26 SHIPMENT SALES FOR SOLID-STATE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 74
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 75
TABLE 27 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF SOLID-STATE
LASERS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 75
EXCIMER LASERS 76
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 76
TABLE 28 DOLLAR SALES FOR EXCIMER LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 76
TABLE 29 SHIPMENT SALES FOR EXCIMER LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 77
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 77
TABLE 30 DOLLAR SALES FOR EXCIMER LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 78
TABLE 31 SHIPMENT SALES FOR EXCIMER LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 79
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 79
TABLE 32 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF EXCIMER
LASERS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 80
DYE LASERS 80
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 80
TABLE 33 DOLLAR SALES FOR DYE LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 80
TABLE 34 SHIPMENT SALES FOR DYE LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 81
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 82
TABLE 35 DOLLAR SALES FOR DYE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 82
TABLE 36 SHIPMENT SALES FOR DYE LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 83
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 84
TABLE 37 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF DYE LASERS ($
MILLIONS) 84
OTHER GAS LASERS 84
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 84
TABLE 38 DOLLAR SALES FOR OTHER GAS LASERS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 85
TABLE 39 SHIPMENT SALES FOR OTHER GAS LASERS, BY
REGION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 85
END APPLICATION VERTICAL BREAKDOWN 86
TABLE 40 DOLLAR SALES FOR OTHER GAS LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 86
TABLE 41 SHIPMENT SALES FOR OTHER GAS LASERS, BY END
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 87
VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS 88
TABLE 42 DOLLAR VALUE CHAIN BREAKDOWN OF OTHER GAS
LASERS, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 88
CHAPTER SIX: REGIONAL ANALYSIS – EMEA 89
OVERALL MARKET METRICS 89
TABLE 43 THE EMEA MARKET, BY MAJOR COUNTRY, THROUGH
2016 ($ MILLIONS) 89
TABLE 44 SHIPMENT SALES FOR LASERS TO THE EMEA REGION,
BY MAJOR COUNTRIES, THROUGH 2016 (MILLIONS OF UNITS) 90
TABLE 45 DOLLAR SALES FOR LASERS TO THE EMEA REGION, BY
LASER TYPE, THROUGH 2016 ($ MILLIONS) 91
TABLE 46 SHIPMENT SALES FOR LASERS TO THE EMEA REGION,
BY LASER TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS) 92
OVERVIEW OF THE MARKET 93
MAJOR COUNTRY PROFILES 93
GERMANY 94
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 94
TABLE 47 MARKET FOR LASERS IN GERMANY, THROUGH 2016 94
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 95
FRANCE 96
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 96
TABLE 48 MARKET FOR LASERS IN FRANCE, THROUGH 2016 96
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 96
UK 97
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 97
TABLE 49 MARKET FOR LASERS IN THE UK, THROUGH 2016 97
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 97
ITALY 98
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 98
TABLE 50 MARKET FOR LASERS IN ITALY, THROUGH 2016 98
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 99
RUSSIA 99
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 99
TABLE 51 MARKET FOR LASERS IN RUSSIA, THROUGH 2016 99
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 100
SPAIN 100
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 100
TABLE 52 MARKET FOR LASERS IN SPAIN, THROUGH 2016 101
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 101
THE NETHERLANDS 101
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 101
TABLE 53 MARKET FOR LASERS IN THE NETHERLANDS,
THROUGH 2016 102
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 102
TURKEY 102
Laser Market, Innovations and Developments 102
TABLE 54 MARKET FOR LASERS IN TURKEY, THROUGH 2016 103
Macroeconomic Overview and Health of End User
Application Verticals 103
CHAPTER SEVEN: STAKEHOLDERS AND VALUE CHAIN 104
STAKEHOLDER CATEGORIES 104
OVERVIEW 104
INTEGRATED LASER MODULE SPECIALISTS 104
ALLIED COMPONENT SPECIALISTS 105
OEMS 105
RAW MATERIAL PROVIDERS 105
KEY COMPANY PROFILES 105
ACULIGHT CORP (NOW A SUBSIDIARY OF LOCKHEED
MARTIN) 106
Introduction 106
Laser Offerings 106
Analysis and Prospects 106
AEROTECH 107
Introduction 107
Laser Offerings 107
Analysis and Prospects 107
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC 108
Introduction 108
Laser Offerings 108
Analysis and Prospects 108
ALMA LASERS 109
Introduction 109
Laser Offerings 109
Analysis and Prospects 109
APPLIED OPTRONICS 110
Introduction 110
Laser Offerings 110
Analysis and Prospects 110
ARGES 110
Introduction 111
Laser Offerings 111
Analysis and Prospects 111
B&W TEK 111
Introduction 111
Laser Offerings 112
Analysis and Prospects 112
BAYSPEC 112
Introduction 113
Laser offerings 113
Analysis and Prospects 113
BLUE SKY RESEARCH 113
Introduction 114
Laser Offerings 114
Analysis and Prospects 114
COHERENT 114
Introduction 114
Laser Offerings 115
Analysis and Prospects 115
CONCEPTS RESEARCH 115
Introduction 115
Laser Offerings 116
Analysis and Prospects 116
CONOPTICS, INC 116
Introduction 116
Laser Offerings 116
Analysis and Prospects 117
CORNING, INC 117
Introduction 117
Laser Offerings 117
Analysis and Prospects 118
CRYLAS 118
Introduction 118
Laser Offerings 118
Analysis and Prospects 118
CVI MELLES GRIOT 119
Introduction 119
Laser Offerings 119
Analysis and Prospects 119
ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC (ESI) 120
Introduction 120
Laser Offerings 120
Analysis and Prospects 120
FRANKFURT LASERS 121
Introduction 121
Laser Offerings 121
Analysis and Prospects 121
II-VI, INC 122
Introduction 122
Laser Offerings 122
Analysis and Prospects 123
IPG PHOTONICS 123
Introduction 123
Laser Offerings 123
Analysis and Prospects 124
JDS UNIPHASE CORP 124
Introduction 124
Laser Offerings 124
Analysis and Prospects 125
JENOPTIK 125
Introduction 125
Laser Offerings 125
Analysis and Prospects 126
KIGRE 126
Introduction 126
Laser Offerings 126
Analysis and Prospects 126
LIGHT AGE 127
Introduction 127
Laser Offerings 127
Analysis and Prospects 127
NEWPORT (INCLUDING OPHIR) 127
Introduction 128
Laser Offerings 128
Analysis and Prospects 128
NICHIA 128
Introduction 129
Laser Offerings 129
Analysis and Prospects 129
NKT PHOTONICS 129
Introduction 130
Laser Offerings 130
Analysis and Prospects 130
NLIGHT PHOTONICS 130
Introduction 131
Laser Offerings 131
Analysis and Prospects 131
NORTHROP GRUMMAN 131
Introduction 131
Laser Offerings 132
Analysis and Prospects 132
OCLARO 132
Introduction 132
Laser Offerings 133
Analysis and Prospects 133
POWER TECHNOLOGY, INC 133
Introduction 133
Laser Offerings 134
Analysis and Prospects 134
PRIMA INDUSTRIE 134
Introduction 134
Laser Offerings 135
Analysis and Prospects 135
QPC LASERS 135
Introduction 135
Laser Offerings 135
Analysis and Prospects 136
ROFIN 136
Introduction 136
Laser Offerings 136
Analysis and Prospects 137
RPMC LASERS 137
Introduction 137
Laser Offerings 138
Analysis and Prospects 138
SCANLAB 138
Introduction 138
Laser Offerings 138
Analysis and Prospects 139
SCHOTT GLASS TECHNOLOGIES 139
Introduction 139
Laser Offerings 139
Analysis and Prospects 140
SPECTRA GASES, INC 140
Introduction 140
Laser Offerings 140
Analysis and Prospects 141
TRUMPH 141
Introduction 141
Laser Offerings 141
Analysis and Prospects 141
Analysis and Prospects (Continued) 142
CHAPTER EIGHT: US PATENT ANALYSIS 143
INTRODUCTION 143
TRENDS BY FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES 144
TRENDS BY … (CONTINUED) 145
TRENDS BY … (CONTINUED) 146
TRENDS BY … (CONTINUED) 147
TRENDS BY … (CONTINUED) 148
TRENDS BY … (CONTINUED) 149
TABLE 55 US PATENTS IN LASERS BY PATENT CATEGORY, 1976
THROUGH AUGUST 2011 150
TRENDS BY YEAR 150
TABLE 56 US PATENT TRENDS IN LASERS BY YEAR OF GRANT,
1976 THROUGH AUGUST 2011 (NUMBER OF PATENTS
AWARDED) 150
TRENDS BY COUNTRY 151
TABLE 57 SHARES OF US PATENTS IN LASERS BY COUNTRY OF
GRANT, 1976 THROUGH AUGUST 2011 (%/NUMBER) 151
TRENDS BY ASSIGNEE 152
TABLE 58 LIST OF ASSIGNEES FOR THE US IN LASERS, 1976
THROUGH AUGUST 2011 152
TABLE 58 (CONTINUED) 153
TABLE 58 (CONTINUED) 154
TABLE 58 (CONTINUED) 155
TABLE 59 ASSIGNEES OF FOUR OR MORE US PATENTS IN
LASERS, 1976 THROUGH AUGUST 2011 155
TABLE 59 (CONTINUED) 156
TABLE 59 (CONTINUED) 157
TABLE 59 (CONTINUED) 158
TABLE 59 (CONTINUED) 159
TABLE 59 (CONTINUED) 160
