Another LED efficiency record

17 Jun 2002

Researchers at Cree produce near-ultraviolet diode efficiency improvements

Cree Lighting Company claims to have demonstrated a near- ultraviolet/violet InGaN light-emitting diode (LED) with a 32% quantum efficiency, which they say is the highest known external quantum efficiency publicly reported for an LED in the ultraviolet-to-blue portion of the spectrum. The LED emits at 390 nm and has a power output of 21 mW operating at 20 mA.

LEDs in the ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet spectrum are essential for making efficient solid-state white-light sources. The LED light optically excites phosphors that emit white light. High quantum efficiency is critical in making these energy-efficient sources. These results are a continuation of a collaborative R&D effort funded in part by the US Department of Commerce under the NIST Advanced Technology Program.