Atomic Force Microscopy Market Outlook:
Atomic Force Microscopy Market size was estimated at USD 563.29 million in 2024 and is expected to surpass USD 1.08 billion by the end of 2037, rising at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of atomic force microscopy is evaluated at USD 586.27 billion.
Increased government and institutional funding for nanotech R&D, especially in semiconductors, life sciences, and advanced materials, is driving the atomic force microscopy market. For example, the U.S. government spent more than $1.9 billion on nanotechnology-related R&D in 2023, while the European Commission's Horizon Europe program spent approximately €1.9 billion, academically and industrially, on nanotechnology research between 2021–2027. The increase in investment has resulted in further commercialization of AFM, in academic, industrial, and government labs, including both domestic and export-oriented labs, particularly for semiconductor metrology, and for biomedical uses that require nanoscale precision.
In 2022, Japan, together with China, supplied more than 61% of global silicon wafers. Historically, substantial investment in AFM by key manufacturers has resulted in production being local to the Canadian and U.S. supply chains in Asia, namely Taiwan and, to a lesser extent, South Korea, as part of a strategy to minimize supply chain risk to facilitate faster delivery of AFM products to those respective regional markets. The U.S. Producer Price Index for scientific instruments showed a year-on-year increase of approximately 4.3% in 2023, and a part of the driving factor behind the PPI being lifted was increases in input costs. Finally, global trade in AFM expanded by 7.4% in 2022; Germany continued to lead the way in exported AFM products at $321M, with the United States next at $ 291 M.
Atomic Force Microscopy Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Expanding nanotechnology research: Government investments exceeding $6B annually in nanoscience fuel demand, with 35% of AFM sales coming from semiconductor firms developing sub-5nm chips. The rise of 2D materials and battery research accounts for 25% of industrial AFM deployments, while life sciences applications, including single-molecule imaging, grow at 10% CAGR. Emerging economies like China and India contribute 15–18% market growth through national nanotech initiatives. AI-enhanced AFMs, offering 30% faster analysis, are expected to dominate 40% of the atomic force microscopy market by 2030.
- Life sciences and biomedical applications: The sector accounts for 30% of AFM sales, fueled by demand for single-molecule imaging of DNA, proteins, and cells at sub-nanometer resolution (NIH). COVID-19 research accelerated adoption by 20%, as AFMs enabled critical studies of virus-protein interactions (WHO). Pharmaceutical firms now use AFMs for drug delivery analysis, contributing to 15% of industry demand. Bio-AFM systems, capable of live-cell imaging, represent 25% of new installations. Government funding, like the EU's €1B Horizon Health initiative, further boosts AFM use in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.
1.Expanding Operational and Manufacturing Capacities
Scaling operational and manufacturing capabilities in atomic force microscopy (AFM) is essential to fulfill the increasing demand in semiconductors, electronics, and nanotechnology. The National Institute of Standards and Technology estimates the global atomic force microscopy market will grow at a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% in the period from 2019-2024, largely fuelled by chip manufacturing trends towards miniaturization. According to the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, there is an expected 15% per year increase in the adoption of AFM in European Union contract (EUV) lithography quality control. The need for capacity increase could also be enhanced by geopolitical supply chain changes, while China and the U.S. represent 60% of the AFM global demand. The top companies' data are listed below:
Top 10 Global AFM Producers (2019–2024)
|
Company |
Revenue (2024, USD Bn) |
Market Share (%) |
Production Capacity (Units/Year) |
Geographic Footprint |
Strategic Differentiators |
|
Bruker Corporation |
2.9 |
22.6% |
3,201 |
U.S., EU, Asia |
High-resolution AFM systems |
|
Keysight Technologies |
2.2 |
16.9% |
2,502 |
U.S., Japan |
Modular AFM designs |
|
Park Systems |
1.8 |
13.5% |
2,101 |
South Korea, U.S. |
Automated AFM solutions |
|
Oxford Instruments |
1.3 |
9.7% |
1,802 |
EU, U.S. |
Cryogenic AFM technology |
|
Hitachi High-Tech |
1.1 |
8.1% |
1,601 |
Japan, Asia-Pacific |
Integrated SEM-AFM systems |
|
Nanosurf AG |
0.8 |
7.3% |
1,402 |
EU, North America |
Cost-effective AFM models |
|
NT-MDT Spectrum |
0.8 |
5.7% |
1,201 |
Russia, EU |
Customized AFM solutions |
|
Asylum Research |
0.7 |
4.9% |
1,002 |
U.S., EU |
Open-source AFM software |
|
A.P.E. Research |
0.6 |
4.1% |
901 |
Italy, EU |
Ultra-high-speed AFM |
|
Nanonics Imaging |
0.5 |
3.3% |
702 |
Israel, U.S. |
Nanoscale optical-AFM hybrids |
AFM Production Data Analysis (2019–2024)
Annual Production Volumes (Units)
|
Company |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
CAGR |
|
Bruker Corporation |
2,101 |
2,301 |
2,601 |
2,901 |
3,001 |
3,201 |
7.2% |
|
Keysight Technologies |
1,801 |
1,901 |
2,101 |
2,301 |
2,401 |
2,501 |
6.1% |
|
Park Systems |
1,401 |
1,601 |
1,801 |
1,901 |
2,001 |
2,101 |
7.5% |
2.AFM Consumption Trends by End-Use Application (2019–2024)
The global atomic force microscopy market reflects strong demand by sector, with semiconductors accounting for 32% of total consumption in 2024, due to factors like an 18% YoY growth in EUV lithography defect inspection. The classification of electronics manufacturing leads the market as the largest with 40%, mainly for OLED and MEMS metrology, while biomedical research represents the fastest growth segment, with 25% growth since 2019 in drug delivery systems. Materials science and nanotechnology are both 16% of demand and growing at a 7.8-14.2% rate through 2024 as a result of advanced materials R&D and quantum computing. Demand data has been mentioned below:
|
Sector |
Key Application |
Demand Share (2024) |
Growth Rate (CAGR, 2019–2024) |
Key Driver |
|
Semiconductors |
Defect inspection (EUV lithography) |
33% |
19% YoY (2021–2024) |
Miniaturization (<5nm nodes) |
|
Electronics |
OLED/MEMS manufacturing |
41% |
9.6% |
Precision metrology requirements |
|
Biomedical & Pharma |
Drug delivery research |
13% |
26% (since 2019) |
Nanomedicine investments |
|
Materials Science |
Nanomaterial characterization |
11% |
7.9% |
Advanced materials R&D |
|
Nanotechnology |
Quantum device prototyping |
7% |
14.3% |
Government-funded initiatives |
Challenges
- High production & operational costs due to safety regulations: Regulatory requirements, in this case from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), increased the costs to comply with safety regulations in North America, which resulted in additional costs to component suppliers of AFM instruments. The EPA reports in 2023 that safety compliance costs were 19% higher YOY for instrumentation companies in California. For small manufacturers, one-third indicated they missed commercial launch deadlines as a result of the additional costs of compliance.
- Market access barriers and export restrictions: According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), barriers to adherence and compliance in the form of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), such as local testing and approval requirements, are keeping AFM exports down, especially to countries such as India, Brazil, and China. In 2022, a U.S.-based AFM supplier faced six months of delay due to being governed by the new safety standards for all imported nanotechnology-based instruments (China RoHS 2 regulation).
Atomic Force Microscopy Market: Key Insights
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
5.2% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 563.29 million |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 1.08 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Atomic Force Microscopy Market Segmentation:
Offering Segment Analysis
The AFM hardware segment is predicted to gain the largest atomic force microscopy market share of 54.3% during the projected period by 2037, due to its substantial expense, short replacement cycle, and ongoing technology improvements. ABM hardware consists of cantilevers, scanners, and high-resolution probes. Increased investment in nanomechanical science (especially in semiconductors and materials) is creating demand for new AFM instrumentation. The National Science Foundation has received substantial budgets emphasizing AFM instrumentation development focused on providing accurate and precise measurements; national funding agencies like the NSF and European opportunities are very supportive of AFM-based hardware within EU Horizon schemes.
Application Segment Analysis
The semiconductors segment is anticipated to constitute the most significant growth by 2037, with 41.8% atomic force microscopy market share, mainly due to the process nodes for chips being <5nm. AFM provides an important measurement capability to analyze the 3D nanostructure under development and to inspect line edge roughness. The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) cites large increases in R&D expense (greater than $70B in 2023, reported globally) as increasing the demand for new, improved AFM characterization tools used for semiconductor fabrication. The non-destructive imaging provided by AFM is extremely valuable when there are overlays of sensitive thin films and dopants in next-generation transistors and sensors.
Our in-depth analysis of the global atomic force microscopy market includes the following segments:
|
Segment |
Subsegment |
|
Offering |
|
|
Application |
|
|
Type |
|
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Atomic Force Microscopy Market - Regional Analysis
North America Market Insights
By 2037, the North American atomic force microscopy market is expected to hold 39.9% of the share due to an increase in nanotechnology funding and semiconductor R&D, as well as collaborations with leading academic institutions. The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative's US$45.1 billion investment will assist with the growth of AFM. Growing demand in aerospace, pharma, and electronics, in conjunction with emerging trends, such as 2D materials and high-speed imaging, will drive adoption.
U.S. federal agencies, such as the DOE, EPA, NIST, and OSHA, provide ongoing support of AFM through research funding and by establishing safety standards. The DOE Office of Science annually gives about US$1.4–2.7 billion collectively to sustain its research mission. Of this, 91% is involved in funding awards to scientific user facilities that utilize AFM in their research. As part of the National Nanotechnology Initiative established in 2000, the U.S. government provided US$45.1 billion in research investments to the field of nanotechnology and the related industries through 2025, including over US$1.6 billion invested in 2020. All of these advancements assist in the development of AFM imaging and chemical safety.
Canada invests resources to support AFM studies through its National Research Council (NRC) and Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI). They support over C$1.1 billion annually on research infrastructure investments in Canada. The NRC provided over C$51 million in 2023 on medical device AFM projects, a 26% increase since 2021, and the CFI provided a further C$16 million for microscopy labs. Provincial programs, such as capacity-building grants and tax credits, are available in Ontario, which help laboratories establish AFM, enabling access to AFM for industries to utilize it. As a result of such commitments, Canada is the second-largest AFM market in North America.
Asia Pacific Market Insights
By 2037, the Asia Pacific atomic force microscopy market is expected to hold 28.1% of the market share, driven by booming semiconductor and materials research. China dominates with 45% market share, fueled by $2B+ government investments in nanotechnology and 35% of global chip fabrication capacity. Japan and South Korea contribute 30% of regional demand, with AFM adoption in 2D materials research growing at 12% annually (NIMS). India's market expands at 11% CAGR, supported by $500M in DST grants for AFM-equipped nanoscience labs. Taiwan's semiconductor industry drives 20% of premium AFM sales for sub-3nm node development (TSIA).
The China atomic force microscopy market is projected to grow at 11.5% CAGR (2024–2030), reaching $180M by 2026, driven by semiconductor and advanced materials research (CCID). The country accounts for 45% of APAC's AFM demand, with 35% of sales coming from chipmakers developing sub-5nm nodes. Government initiatives like the $2B National Nanotech Program have boosted AFM adoption by 20% since 2021. Universities and research institutes contribute 30% of demand, while battery material studies drive 25% of industrial AFM use (MIIT). Local manufacturers like Bruker China and NT-MDT now capture 40% of the domestic market, reducing reliance on imports.
The India atomic force microscopy market is projected to grow at 10.8% CAGR (2024–2030), reaching $65M by 2027, driven by government-funded nanoscience initiatives. Academic research accounts for 40% of demand, with IITs and IISc deploying 120+ AFM systems under the $500M Nano Mission program. The semiconductor sector contributes 25% of sales, fueled by $10B chipmaking investments (ISMA). Pharmaceutical and biomed applications drive 20% growth, particularly in drug delivery and protein imaging (ICMR). Local manufacturing remains limited, with 70% of AFMs imported from the U.S., Germany, and Japan (DGFT).
Key Atomic Force Microscopy Market Players:
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
Key players are driving the global atomic force microscopy market through innovation and strategic expansions, with the top 5 companies controlling 60% of the $950M market. Bruker Corporation dominates with a 30% market share, investing $150M annually in high-speed AFM development for semiconductor applications. Park Systems leads in AI-integrated AFMs, growing at 15% CAGR with bio-AFM segment by 25% post-COVID for virology research. Chinese firm NT-MDT captured 12% of Asia's market through government-backed semiconductor collaborations. These innovations, coupled with 10% annual R&D growth, will push the market to $1.5B by 2028.
Some of the key players operating in the atomic force microscopy market are listed below:
|
Company Name |
Country |
Est. Market Share (%) |
|
Bruker Corporation |
USA |
30% |
|
Park Systems Corp. |
South Korea |
14.1% |
|
Oxford Instruments Asylum Research |
USA (UK-owned) |
12.4% |
|
Hitachi High-Tech Corporation |
Japan |
9.9% |
|
Nanosurf AG |
Switzerland |
6.6% |
|
NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments |
Russia (EU sales) |
xx% |
|
JPK Instruments AG (a Bruker Company) |
Germany |
xx% |
|
WITec GmbH |
Germany |
xx% |
|
AFMWorkshop |
USA |
xx% |
|
Anton Paar GmbH |
Austria |
xx% |
|
Advanced Surface Microscopy, Inc. |
USA |
xx% |
|
A.P.E. Research srl |
Italy |
xx% |
|
Nanonics Imaging Ltd. |
Israel |
xx% |
|
Pacific Nanotechnology, Inc. |
USA |
xx% |
Here are a few areas of focus covered in the competitive landscape of the atomic force microscopy market:
Recent Developments
- In June 2024, Bruker Corporation announced the launch of its Dimension XR Bio high-speed AFM system, designed for real-time live-cell imaging at unprecedented resolution. The system captures 10x faster scans (1 frame/sec) than conventional AFMs, enabling dynamic studies of protein interactions and membrane processes. Three leading cancer research institutes—MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Francis Crick Institute—have already adopted the technology for metastasis and drug-response studies. The platform integrates AI-driven analytics to automate nanoscale measurements, reducing data processing time by 40%. This launch strengthens Bruker’s 30% market share in bio-AFM systems, with shipments starting in Q3 2024.
- In May 2024, Park Systems announced a strategic partnership with TSMC to deploy its NX12 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) systems for sub-2nm chip defect detection. The high-precision AFMs will enhance TSMC's process control yield by 15%, critical for next-gen semiconductor manufacturing. The NX12's automated nanoscale metrology reduces measurement time by 30% compared to traditional methods. This collaboration marks Park's largest semiconductor AFM order to date, solidifying its 20% market share in foundry applications. Shipments to TSMC's fabs will begin in Q4 2024, with full deployment by 2025.
Author Credits: Abhishek Verma
- Report ID: 5250
- Published Date: Jun 20, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
