Date Announced: 04 Dec 2009 T. PAUL, Minn. – In a breakthrough that could lead to accelerated adoption of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in demanding applications such as LCD display backlights and pico-projectors, scientists at 3M have developed technology that doubles the efficiency of green LEDs. LEDs are robust light sources, but their efficiency varies by color. Producing green LEDs with the stability, power and efficiency of other colors has proved particularly vexing to researchers. Green is the most important component of white light, and white light is critical to the brightness of a display or luminaire.The 3M technology approach is to bond 3M’s color converting material to high-efficiency blue LEDs. The 3M material absorbs the blue light and re-emits it as green light. Other colors, including white, also can be made by engineering the composition and structure of the emitting layer. “By leveraging 3M’s physics and materials science expertise, we developed a process, covered by strong intellectual property protection, that will produce any color LED with a high degree of precision, durability and color saturation,” said Steven Webster, vice president of research and technology commercialization for 3M’s Display and Graphics Business. “We believe this breakthrough shows a path to solving several traditional LED performance limitations.” High performance green LEDs will reduce the total number of LEDs required in a device, while improving color performance, energy efficiency, heat dissipation and reliability.Record green emission of 216 lumens was achieved, with 181 lumens per watt efficiency at a drive current of 350 mA/mm². Blue LEDs (ThinGaN high current UX:3) were supplied by OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH, a leading producer of LEDs. “OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is pleased to participate in the 3M development project, enabling our companies to demonstrate world record LED performance,” said Michael Godwin, director, Visible LED Products, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors North America. An overview of 3M’s color converting technology will be presented at the SPIE Photonics West symposium, January 23-28, 2010, in San Francisco.About 3MA recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $25 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries.From:3M Public Relations and Corporate Communications3M Center, Building 225-1S-15St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Contact
Colleen Harris 3M Public Relations 651-733-1566 www.3m.com/presscenter
E-mail:***
Web Site:www.3m.com
