SUMMARY
Lehigh University has developed a new device concept and method to achieve high-performance and high efficiency Group III-Nitride LEDs and laser diodes emitting in the visible regime. LEDs and lasers based on conventional technology (InGaN quantum wells) suffer from poor performances due to low optical gain resulting in high current operation for laser devices and poor efficiency for LEDs. By using this technology one can realize a high efficiency blue-green-red gain media, which can be integrated into a single chip for achieving a high-performance SSL.
This method will also enable one to replace the bulky and expensive green lasers for diode lasers in the green regime for compact, low-cost high performance in medical therapy and diagnostic applications. The invention can be grown by standard III-V semiconductor MOCVD/MBE Epitaxy and the device structures can be fabricated by utilizing the standard semiconductor processing technology.
Applications for this invention include SSL displays, liquid crystal displays, diode lasers for DVD applications, automotive lighting, medical applications, high-definition and true-color television using LEDs, entertainment lighting, landscape lighting and portable lighting.
Lehigh Tech ID# 030806-01
THE MARKET
The SSL market is predicted to reach $33 billion by 2013, growing annually at over 10%.[1] This market is an umbrella market for LEDs, OLEDs, and PLEDs. LED technologies make up a majority of this market ($5.08 billion), with a growth rate of over 24%.[2] Additionally, 22% of the United States electricity is consumed by lighting, which costs consumers over $50 billion each year. SSL technologies have the potential to reduce this consumption by up to six times less. This potential has led to increased market need, funding resources and science centers dedicated to SSL developments, such as the $46 million Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) for solid-state lighting science funded by the Department of Energy.[3]
[1] “Solid-State Lighting Market Will Reach $33 Billion Worldwide by 2013.” AZooptics.com web site. http://www.azooptics.com/Details.asp?NewsID=3867 (accessed September 28, 2010).
[2] About Us.” GE Lumination web site. http://www.lumination.com/overview.php (accessed September 28, 2010).
[3] Solid-state lighting's contributions to national energy efficiency discussed at AAAS meeting.” February 21, 2010. PHYSORG web site. http://www.physorg.com/news185943042.html (accessed
September 28, 2010).
THE OPPORTUNITY
Lehigh University is interested in identifying an industry partner to license this technology.