Atomic Force Microscopy Market by Offering (AFMs, Probes, Software), Grade (Industrial, Research), Application (Semiconductors & Electronics, Material Science & Nanotechnology, Life Sciences & Biomedical) and Region - Global Forecast to 2030
The global atomic force microscopy market is projected to grow from USD 541.8 million in 2025 to USD 762.2 million in 2030, at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Technological innovations and rising investments in nanotechnology research are key growth drivers for the atomic force microscopy market. These instruments offer nanoscale imaging and precise surface characterization, making them indispensable in fields such as semiconductors, materials science, and life sciences. The integration of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced software analytics enhances user accessibility and measurement accuracy, expanding AFM use beyond research institutions into industrial quality control environments. Their alignment with increasing demand for miniaturized electronics makes AFMs highly relevant for next-generation manufacturing, accelerating their adoption in both academic and industrial domains.
Scope of the Report
Years Considered for the Study
2021-2030
Base Year
2024
Forecast Period
2025-2030
Units Considered
Value (USD Billion)
Segments
By offering, grade, application, and region
Regions covered
North America, Europe, APAC, RoW
"Industrial segment to witness highest CAGR in atomic force microscopy market during forecasted period"
The industrial segment is expected to register the highest CAGR due to the increasing adoption of AFM technology in quality control, failure analysis, and materials research across semiconductors, electronics, automotive, energy, and several other industries. As manufacturing processes continue to miniaturize and emphasize nanoscale precision, the demand for surface characterization and metrology tools such as AFMs is growing rapidly. Industrial AFMs offer advanced features such as high-speed scanning, automated operation, and integration with production lines, making them suitable for inline inspection and process monitoring. Moreover, as industries increasingly invest in nanomaterial development and functional coatings, AFMs are becoming indispensable for analyzing surface roughness, adhesion properties, and thin film uniformity.
"Material science & nanotechnology segment to hold second-largest share of atomic force microscopy market"
The material science & nanotechnology segment is projected to account for the second-largest share of the atomic force microscopy market. Atomic force microscopes are extensively utilized to study surface morphology, roughness, mechanical properties, and molecular interactions at the atomic level, which is critical in developing next-generation materials. The growing interest in nanostructured materials, composite materials, and two-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides has increased the adoption of AFM in academic and industrial research settings. Additionally, rising investments in nanotechnology initiatives by government agencies and private organizations, coupled with increased collaboration between research institutes and commercial enterprises, are propelling the segment's growth. Advancements in AFM technology, such as the integration of high-speed scanning, multiparametric measurement modes, and integration with spectroscopy techniques, are enhancing its utility and precision in material characterization.
"Asia Pacific to witness highest CAGR in atomic force microscopy market during forecast period"
The increasing focus on nanotechnology research, semiconductor innovation, and materials science development primarily drives the atomic force microscopy market in the Asia Pacific region. Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are investing heavily in research and development infrastructure to strengthen their position in advanced manufacturing and electronics. The rapid expansion of the semiconductor industry, supported by favorable government policies and public-private partnerships, is creating substantial demand for high-resolution surface characterization tools such as AFMs. Academic institutions and research organizations are also adopting AFMs to support breakthroughs in nanoscience and biotechnology.
Breakdown of Primaries
The study contains insights from various industry experts, ranging from component suppliers to Tier 1 companies and OEMs. The break-up of the primaries is as follows:
By Company Type - Tier 1 - 40%, Tier 2 - 35%, Tier 3 - 25%
By Region - North America - 35%, Europe - 18%, Asia Pacific - 40%, RoW - 7%
The atomic force microscopy market is dominated by a few globally established players, such as Park Systems (South Korea), Bruker (US), Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Japan), Oxford Instruments (UK), and Semilab Inc. (Hungary). The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players, with their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.
Research Coverage:
The report segments the atomic force microscopy market and forecasts its size by offering, grade, application, and region. It also discusses the market's drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges and gives a detailed view of the market across four main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and RoW.
Key Benefits of Buying the Report:
Analysis of key drivers (expansion of life sciences and healthcare applications, rising investments in nanotechnology research, growing semiconductor & electronics industry). restraints (high equipment cost), opportunities (technological advancements and emerging applications), challenges (lack of skilled professionals for handling atomic force microscopy tools)
Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research and development activities, and product launches/developments in the atomic force microscopy market
Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets by providing an analysis of the atomic force microscopy market across varied regions
Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products and services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the atomic force microscopy market.
Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players, Park Systems (South Korea), Bruker (US), Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Japan), Oxford Instruments (UK), and Semilab Inc. (Hungary), among others, in the atomic force microscopy market.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.2 MARKET DEFINITION
1.3 STUDY SCOPE
1.3.1 MARKETS COVERED AND REGIONAL SCOPE
1.3.2 INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
1.3.3 YEARS CONSIDERED
1.4 CURRENCY CONSIDERED
1.5 LIMITATIONS
1.6 STAKEHOLDERS
1.7 SUMMARY OF CHANGES
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 RESEARCH DATA
2.1.1 SECONDARY DATA
2.1.1.1 Major secondary sources
2.1.1.2 Key data from secondary sources
2.1.2 PRIMARY DATA
2.1.2.1 Breakdown of primaries
2.1.2.2 Key data from primary sources
2.1.3 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY RESEARCH
2.1.3.1 Key industry insights
2.2 MARKET SIZE ESTIMATION
2.2.1 BOTTOM-UP APPROACH
2.2.1.1 Approach to arrive at market size using bottom-up analysis (demand side)
2.2.2 TOP-DOWN APPROACH
2.2.2.1 Approach to arrive at market size using top-down analysis (supply side)
2.3 MARKET BREAKDOWN AND DATA TRIANGULATION
2.4 RESEARCH ASSUMPTIONS
2.5 RISK ASSESMANET
3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4 PREMIUM INSIGHTS
4.1 ATTRACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES IN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET
4.2 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY OFFERING
4.3 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY GRADE
4.4 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY APPLICATION
4.5 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY REGION
5 MARKET OVERVIEW
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 MARKET DYNAMICS
5.2.1 DRIVERS
5.2.1.1 Need for nanoscale precision in semiconductor manufacturing
5.2.1.2 High investments in nanotechnology
5.2.1.3 Expansion of atomic force microscopy applications in life sciences and healthcare sectors
5.2.2 RESTRAINTS
5.2.2.1 Damage to samples due to contact-mode atomic force microscopy
5.2.2.2 Critical sample preparation requirements
5.2.3 OPPORTUNITIES
5.2.3.1 Growing investments in OLED panel production globally
5.2.3.2 Expanding applications of atomic force microscopy from drug delivery to protein dynamics
5.2.3.3 Emerging applications from basic imaging to multi-modal analysis due to technological advancements
5.2.4 CHALLENGES
5.2.4.1 High-throughput challenges due to surface coverage and speed limitations
5.3 TRADE ANALYSIS
5.3.1 IMPORT SCENARIO (HS CODE 901210)
5.3.2 EXPORT SCENARIO (HS CODE 901210)
5.4 PATENTS ANALYSIS
5.5 TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS
5.5.1 KEY TECHNOLOGIES
5.5.1.1 Closed-loop feedback control
5.5.2 ADJACENT TECHNOLOGIES
5.5.2.1 Nanoimprint lithography (NIL)
5.5.2.2 Optical interferometry
5.5.3 COMPLEMENTARY TECHNOLOGIES
5.5.3.1 Machine learning
5.6 IMPACT OF AI/GEN AI ON ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET
5.7 IMPACT OF 2025 US TARIFF - OVERVIEW
5.7.1 INTRODUCTION
5.7.2 KEY TARIFF RATES
5.7.3 PRICE IMPACT ANALYSIS
5.7.4 IMPACT ON COUNTRY/REGION
5.7.4.1 US
5.7.4.2 Europe
5.7.4.3 Asia Pacific
5.7.5 IMPACT ON APPLICATIONS
6 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY OFFERING
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPES
6.2.1 EXCELLENCE IN EVALUATING MULTIMODAL SURFACES AT NANOSCALE LEVEL TO ACCELERATE ADOPTION
6.2.2 CONTACT MODE
6.2.3 NON-CONTACT MODE
6.2.4 TAPPING MODE
6.3 PROBES
6.3.1 ABILITY TO OPTIMIZE AFM PERFORMANCE TO BOOST DEMAND
6.4 SOFTWARE
6.4.1 RISING DEMAND FOR SYSTEMATIC AFM PROBE SCANNING AND DATA ANALYSIS TO FOSTER SEGMENTAL GROWTH
7 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY GRADE
7.1 INTRODUCTION
7.2 INDUSTRIAL
7.2.1 THRIVING SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY AND INCREASING PRECISION MANUFACTURING TREND TO SUPPORT SEGMENTAL GROWTH
7.3 RESEARCH
7.3.1 INCREASING GLOBAL NANOSCIENCE INVESTMENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SEGMENTAL GROWTH
8 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY MARKET, BY APPLICATION
8.1 INTRODUCTION
8.2 SEMICONDUCTORS & ELECTRONICS
8.2.1 RISING COMPLEXITY IN CHIP DESIGN TO ACCELERATE AFM ADOPTION
8.2.2 DATA STORAGE
8.2.3 3D-INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND FIN FIELD-EFFECT TRANSISTORS
8.2.4 DISPLAYS
8.2.5 CARBON NANOTUBES
8.3 MATERIAL SCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY
8.3.1 SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENTS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY AND MATERIAL SCIENCE THROUGH GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED INITIATIVES TO BOOST DEMAND
8.4 CHEMICAL & POLYMER RESEARCH
8.4.1 NEED FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND PRECISION IN CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING TO SPIKE DEMAND
8.5 LIFE SCIENCES & BIOMEDICAL
8.5.1 EXCELLENCE IN PRECISELY ANALYZING BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND CELL MECHANICS TO FACILITATE ADOPTION