3M Develops Uniformity Tape to Reduce LEDs in LCD Panels

3M’s Optical Systems Division has developed a unique Uniformity Tape for reducing the number of LEDs needed in the edge-lit type LED LCD panels.

LEDs being developed now are more efficient than before, and they provide brighter light utilizing fewer bulbs at a lower cost. Some backlit LED LCD panels use more than the required number of LEDs to achieve the required brightness and avoid thick bezels or head lighting. Manufacturers are curtailed by the spacing between the LEDs.

3M’s Uniformity Tape increases the spreading of light emitted by each LED’s light guide, helping increase the spacing between LEDs and also reducing the number of LEDs required. A spatially uniform micro-replicated optical pattern is on one side of the clear Uniformity Tape, while the other side has adhesive for sticking it to the light guide’s edge. While maintaining the required edge uniformity, the tape enables three times more LED spacing.

3M’s Uniformity Tape when used along with its Dual Brightness Enhancement Film will allow manufacturers to reduce LED usage and also meet the various global energy efficiency standards.