Market Profile

As with other molecular spectroscopy techniques, demand for microscopy-enabled UV–vis–near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a developing segment of the market. Demand from the semiconductor and electronics industry is the primary driver, although there is considerable potential for other applications as well. So far none of the major UV–vis–NIR vendors compete in this niche market, but that could soon change.

UV–vis–NIR microscopy demand by industry.

The strongest demand for conventional UV–vis–NIR spectrophotometers comes from the semiconductor, electronics, and nanotechnology industries, so it should come as no surprise that the same is true for UV–vis–NIR microscopes. The wide spectral range provides considerable analytical flexibility, and the incorporation of microscopy adds imaging and mapping capabilities. UV–vis–NIR microscopy also finds significant demand from forensics applications, where the wide spectrum potentially can help to identify much more information. As a relatively new niche technique, academia naturally accounts for a major percentage of demand as well.

Jasco is the market leader, having introduced its MSV-300 series in 2007, and following it up with the introduction of the MSV-5000 series this year. CRAIC Technologies is a small California-based company that was one of the first vendors to develop a commercially available UV–vis–NIR microscopy system. A third competitor of note is J&M Analytik, which is a small German company that is focused on UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy. None of the four largest suppliers of UV–vis–NIR spectrophotometers as yet offers either integrated UV–vis–NIR microscopy systems or microscopy accessories.

The foregoing data were extracted from SDi's market analysis and perspectives report entitled The Global Assessment Report, 11th Edition: The Laboratory Life Science and Analytical Instrument Industry, October 2010. For more information, contact Stuart Press, Vice President, Strategic Directions International, Inc., 6242 Westchester Parkway, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 641-4982, fax: (310) 641-8851, www.strategic-directions.com.