Mountain View, CA, June 9, 2003. The worldwide growth and momentum for both markets and R&D activity relating to gallium nitride devices and materials has never been more robust, according to Silicon Valley market research firm Strategies Unlimited. In its newly released report Gallium Nitride 2003 - Technology Status, Applications, and Market Forecasts, the company reviews and updates the status of worldwide technology developments and markets for gallium nitride devices, both optoelectronic and electronic. This is the third edition of the report, with previous versions having been published in 1997 and 2000.
As of the first quarter of 2003, 184 companies were involved in gallium nitride production or development (devices, materials and equipment), and 293 universities and research centers were involved in gallium nitride R&D. These figures represent an increase of 74% and 24%, respectively, since the publication of Strategies Unlimited's previous gallium nitride survey in May 2000.
In addition to this dramatic growth in research and product development activity, the market growth for gallium nitride devices has been no less robust. Since 1999, the market for gallium nitride devices (primarily blue, green and white high-brightness LEDs) has grown by 221% to $1.35 billion. Since the beginning of the first significant commercial shipments of gallium nitride LEDs in 1995, the market has grown at an average annual rate of 64.5%.
Blue-violet laser diodes based on gallium nitride devices began shipping in 1999 and the market achieved modest levels through 2002. However, in 2003 the long-anticipated market for blue-violet (405 nm) laser diodes in optical storage has finally begun in earnest, as several companies announced the first shipments of the next generation of high-density DVD recorders. Gallium-nitride-based electronic devices are still under development, but the first significant commercial shipments are expected to begin in 2004. Overall, the market for gallium nitride devices of all types is forecast to grow to $4.5 billion by 2007.
Gallium Nitride 2003 is a 370-page report that addresses the worldwide activity in gallium nitride development, including material properties, substrates, deposition, etching, contacts, packaging, and optoelectronic and electronic device performance. It tabulates the 477 companies and research centers involved in gallium nitride production and development, including 51 government agencies that support gallium nitride R&D, and provides profiles of 26 such organizations. In addition, the report analyzes 20 separate applications for gallium nitride optoelectronic and electronic devices, and provides detailed market forecasts through 2007. A special section on the rise of gallium nitride LED production in Taiwan is also provided.
Gallium Nitride 2003 - Technology Status, Applications and Market Forecasts is available for immediate delivery from Strategies Unlimited for $3,950. More information on the report is available by contacting Tim Carli, Sales Manager, at +1 650 941-3438 ext. 23, or by email at [email protected].
Founded in 1979, Strategies Unlimited specializes in market research and strategic consulting directed at photovoltaic components and systems, optical networking, optoelectronic, and RF/wireless semiconductor industries. The company, based in Mountain View, California, is a research unit of PennWell Corporation.
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