Optics

Photonic crystals are a growing commercial success

Jan. 14, 2016

Photonic crystals (PCs) are used in LEDs, in biosensors, and elsewhere.

January 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This report is an update of PHO004A, published in February 2013. The distant, yet potent promise of a debut in mobile handsets has added new dimensions to the dynamic of photonic crystals. Photonic crystal stakeholders are eagerly looking forward to Samsung following up on its plan to introduce handset displays based on that technology ... (see original press release)

The Laser Focus World take:
This market report from BCC Research give the 2015 market for photonic-crystal (PC) enabled devices as $7.3 billion, including $2.2 billion for PCs in LEDs and $96 million for PCs in biosensors. The report projects that in 2020 the total market will be $17.4 billion, with $5 billion for PCs in LEDs and $522 million for PCs in biosensors.

PCs in LEDs are mainly used to improve light-extraction efficiency (but also for other uses such as expanding the range of available wavelengths), while their use in biosensors is more varied.

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.