Nov 26 2007
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Nitride LED and Laser Technology and Its Impact on the Display, Medical, and Storage Industries to their offering.
Examines material systems and developments for short wavelength (green-ultraviolet) lasers and LEDs.
Since the development of p-type material in 1989, research in nitride emitter technology has developed rapidly over the last 15 years. This material system provided a new range of color applications that could be better utilized and with far better reliability than the II-VI material system. Laser lifetimes > 10,000 hours have been surpassed.
The rapid commercial deployment of the nitride LED sources has meant that this is a competitive but relatively captive market. This dichotomy exists because the company that initially commercialized the material system has been aggressive in the market and protective of its technology. The market is high volume and has grown tremendously, especially as the majority of applications are consumer based.
The intellectual property around the GaN-based systems has been a major concern because one company made the initial manufacturing breakthrough. As the technology has now become more established and substrate technology has been developing, newer applications and wavelengths are available. Despite this, issues with efficiency, light extraction, defect density, packaging, and thermal performance remain. Improvements in the electrical to optical conversion efficiency still need to be made.
Three specific questions were the focus of this Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) forum:
- What are the technological benefits of the different substrate routes and growth technologies, including the applications and markets?
- What are the concerns for high efficiency green, UV LEDs and lasers? What is the right path forward?
- What is the right route regarding intellectual property, packaging, and thermal effects for nitride-based LED and laser sources and the lack of standards in these areas?