Optovate Ltd., the Micro LED optical specialist, announces that it has realized a Micro LED technology that enables multiple Micro LEDs transferred in parallel from a wafer to a substrate to be aligned in one step with a precision optical array. The technology is the subject of a portfolio of 20 granted and pending patents dating from 2008.

Optovate fabricated micro-optic array and visualized light cone output. (Image: Optovate)

Broad application areas include Mini LED backlights for LCD, OLED displays, head-mounted Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) optics, automotive Head-Up-Display (HUD), and ultimately direct Micro LED display for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets where they can provide high brightness, privacy, and power saving operation.

Optovate has a paper accepted in the upcoming SID Display Week 2018 Symposium where it will talk for the first time about its work.

Optovate has made two significant breakthroughs in its approach to Micro LEDs. First, it has developed a unique Micro LED transfer technique to enable extraction of Micro LEDs from wafers to backplanes for display and lighting applications. This approach is scalable to very large substrates providing a cost-effective route for Micro LED applications.

Second, it has also developed a way to produce and integrate a precision optical array that combines refraction and reflection of light from each of the Micro LEDs, providing controllable illumination and ultra-thin low thickness –  significant advantages for many displays, LCD backlight and solid-state lighting applications. These two innovations in Micro LED transfer and micro-optic light control can be combined or used stand-alone with other approaches.

Paul May, Commercial Director at Optovate Ltd. explained: “With the market interest in Micro LEDs rapidly gaining momentum, Optovate have decided that the best way to exploit its technology is to partner with suitable organizations that can provide the development resources needed for the rapid launch of volume products. Interested parties are invited to contact us”.

Jonathan Harrold, co-founder of Optovate commented “For a long time our Micro LED approach was counter trend - that’s all changed now. Our patented technology has the potential to disrupt both the display and LED lighting value chains. We were really the first to understand why and how the optics of Micro LED arrays is key to both displays and lighting”.