Basic Idea Behind Emission

Molecular Energy Systems

Light

Facts

OBJECTIVES:
To learn the basic design principles of LED To relate properties of semiconductor material to the principle of LED To be able select appropriate materials for different types of LED To be able to apply knowledge of band gap engineering to design appropriate materials for a particular LED To acknowledge other materials that can and have been used in LED

What is an LED?
Light-emitting diode Semiconductor Has polarity

LED are semiconductor p-n junctions that under forward bias conditions can emit radiation by electroluminescence in the UV, visible or infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The qaunta of light energy released is approximately proportional to the band gap of the semiconductor. When a light-emitting diode is forward biased, electrons are able to recombine with holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the light (corresponding to the energy of the photon) is determined by the energy gap of the semiconductor.

Inside a Light Emitting Diode 1. Transparent

Plastic Case 2. Terminal Pins 3. Diode
When a light-emitting diode is forward biased, electrons are able to recombine with holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons.

This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the light (corresponding to the energy of the photon) is determined by the energy gap of the semiconductor.

Kinds of LEDs

Tri-color LEDs

The most popular type of tri-color LED has a red and a green LED combined in one package with three leads. They are called tri-color because mixed red and green light appears to be yellow.

The diagram shows the organization of a tri-color LED. Note the different lengths of the three leads.
The central lead (k) is the common cathode for both LEDs, the outer leads (a1 and a2) are the anodes to the LEDs allowing each one to be lit separately, or both together to give the third color.

4 Main Issues
1. 2. 3. 4. The device configuration Materials requirements Materials selection Material issues

Applications of LEDs

Your fancy telephone, i-pod, palm pilot and digital camera

Getting to know LED

Advantages of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Longevity: The light emitting element in a diode is a small conductor chip rather than a filament which greatly extends the diodes life in comparison to an incandescent bulb (10 000 hours life time compared to ~1000 hours for incandescence light bulb) Efficiency: Diodes emit almost no heat and run at very low amperes. Greater Light Intensity: Since each diode emits its own light Cost: Not too bad Robustness: Solid state component, not as fragile as incandescence light bulb

Factors influencing efficiency

1. 2. Efficiency of electrons and holes recombination Efficiency of excited state formation upon annihilation.

3.

Quantum yield of emission of excited state.

Construction of Typical LED

Light output
Al SiO2

p
n
Electrical contacts

Substrate

Luminescence is the process behind light emission

Luminescence is a term used to describe the emission of radiation from a solid when the solid is supplied with some form of energy. Electroluminescence excitation results from the application of an electric field In a p-n junction diode injection electroluminescence occurs resulting in light emission when the junction is forward biased

Advantages of LEDs over LCD(Liquidcrystal display)

1. Brighter, thinner, lighter, faster 2. Bright from all viewing angles 3. Need less power to run 4. A lot cheaper to produce 5. Expanding memory capability - coating new layer on top of existing one 6. Wider temperature range

LED: How It Works

When current flows across a diode Negative electrons move one way and positive holes move the other way

LED: How It Works

The wholes exist at a lower energy level than the free electrons

Therefore when a free electrons falls it losses energy

LED: How It Works

This energy is emitted in a form of a photon, which causes light

The color of the light is determined by the fall of the electron and hence energy level of the photon

Excitation
E Electron (excited by the biased forward voltage) is in the conduction band

Hole is in valance band

Normally the recombination takes place between transition of electrons between the bottom of the conduction band and the top of the valance band (band exterma). The emission of light is therefore; hc/ = Ec-Ev = Eg(only direct band gap allows radiative transition)

Injection Luminescence in LED

Under forward bias majority carriers from both sides of the junction can cross the depletion region and entering the material at the other side. Upon entering, the majority carriers become minority carriers For example, electrons in n-type (majority carriers) enter the p-type to become minority carriers The minority carriers will be larger minority carrier injection Minority carriers will diffuse and recombine with the majority carrier. For example, the electrons as minority carriers in the p-region will recombine with the holes. Holes are the majority carrier in the pregion. The recombination causes light to be emitted Such process is termed radiative recombination.

Recombination and Efficiency

(a) p ECEg EF EV eVo n+ (b) p Eg h =Eg n+

Electrons in CB
Holes in VB

Ideal LED will have all injection electrons to take part in the recombination process In real device not all electron will recombine with holes to radiate light Sometimes recombination occurs but no light is being emitted (non-radiative) Efficiency of the device therefore can be described Efficiency is the rate of photon emission over the rate of supply electrons

LED Construction
Efficient light emitter is also an efficient absorbers of radiation therefore, a shallow p-n junction required. Active materials (n and p) will be grown on a lattice matched substrate. The p-n junction will be forward biased with contacts made by metallisation to the upper and lower surfaces. Ought to leave the upper part clear so photon can escape. The silica provides passivation/device isolation and carrier confinement

Efficient LED
Need a p-n junction (preferably the same semiconductor material only different dopants) Recombination must occur Radiative transmission to give out the right coloured LED Right coloured LED hc/ = Ec-Ev = Eg so choose material with the right Eg Direct band gap semiconductors to allow efficient recombination All photons created must be able to leave the semiconductor Little or no reabsorption of photons

Visible LED
Definition: LED which could emit visible light, the band gap of the materials that we use must be in the region of visible wavelength = 390- 770nm. This coincides with the energy value of 3.18eV- 1.61eV which corresponds to colours as stated below:

Colour of an LED should emits

Violet Blue Green Yellow Orange Red

~ 3.17eV ~ 2.73eV ~ 2.52eV ~ 2.15eV ~ 2.08eV ~ 1.62eV

The band gap, Eg that the semiconductor must posses to emit each light

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Visible lights

V ~ 3.17eV B ~ 2.73eV G ~ 2.52eV

Y ~ 2.15eV
O ~ 2.08eV R ~ 1.62eV

The appearance of the visible light will be the results of the overlap integral between the eye response curve and the spectral power of the device the peak of the luminous curve will not in general be the same as the peak of the spectral power curve

While doing my research on LEDs, I came across the term OLED. One step ahead of OLEDs
What is an OLED?
OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode An OLED is any light emitting diode (LED) which emissive electroluminescent layer is composed of a film of organic compounds. An OLED is an electronic device made by placing a series of organic thin films between two conductors. When electrical current is applied, a bright light is emitted.

Applications of OLEDs
TVs Cell Phone screens Computer Screens Keyboards (Optimus Maximus) Lights Portable Divice displays

OLEDs as a Light Source

OLED Televisions
Sony
Released XEL-1 in February 2009. First OLED TV sold in stores. 11'' screen, 3mm thin $2,500 MRP Weighs approximately 1.9 kg Wide 178 degree viewing angle 1,000,000:1 Contrast ratio

Optimus Maximus Keyboard

Small OLED screen on every key 113 OLED screens total Each key can be programmed to preform a series of functions Keys can be linked to applications Display notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, etc... SD card slot for storing settings

Advantages of OLEDs
OLED Displays Vs. LCD and Plasma Much faster response time Consume significantly less energy Able to display "True Black" picture Wider viewing angles Thinner display Better contrast ratio Safer for the environment Has potential to be mass produced inexpensively OLEDs refresh almost 1,000 times faster then LCDs
OLED Lighting Vs. Incandescent and Fluorescent Cheaper way to create flexible lighting Requires less power Better quality of light (ie. no "Cold Light") New design concepts for interior lighting

Disadvantages of OLEDs
OLED Displays Vs. LCD and Plasma Cost to manufacture is high Overall luminance degradation Constraints with lifespan Easily damaged by water Limited market availability

OLED Lighting Vs. Incandescent and Fluorescent Not as easy as changing a light bulb

Future Uses for OLED

Lighting Flexible / bendable lighting Wallpaper lighting defining new ways to light a space Transparent lighting doubles as a window Cell Phones Nokia 888

Future Uses for OLED

Transparent Car Navigation System on Windshield Using Samsungs' transparent OLED technology Heads up display GPS system Scroll Laptop Nokia concept OLED Laptop

Why LED's are chosen for many applications LEDs are ideal for use in applications that are subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that burn out more quickly when cycled frequently, or HID lamps that require a long time before restarting. LEDs can very easily be dimmed or strobed LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in microseconds. LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt burn-out of incandescent bulbs LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile. LEDs can be very small and are easily populated onto printed circuit boards. LEDs do not contain mercury, unlike compact fluorescent lamps Disadvantages and challenges in using LEDs LEDs are currently more expensive, price per lumen, on an initial capital cost basis, than more conventional lighting technologies. However, when considering the total cost of ownership (including energy and maintenance costs), LEDs far surpass incandescent or halogen sources and begin to threaten compact fluorescent lamps. The Chart Below compares different light sources based upon the life of the bulb and the electrical cost at 10 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour). Note: fixture costs and installation costs are not included. LED performance largely depends on correctly engineering the fixture to manage the heat generated by the LED, which causes deterioration of the LED chip itself. Over-driving the LED or not engineering the product to manage heat in high ambient temperatures may result in overheating of the LED package, eventually leading to device failure. Adequate heat-sinking is required to maintain long life. The most common design of a heat sink is a metal device with many fins, which conducts the heat away from the LED. For more information on this, refer to the Thermal Management tab. LEDs must be supplied with the correct voltage and current at a constant flow. This requires some electronics expertise to design the electronic drivers. LEDs can shift color due to age and temperature. Also two different white LED will have two different color characteristics, which affect how the light is perceived.