May 10, 2023
Nitride Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
Founder, President & CEO
Yoshihiko Muramoto

◆Overview
We have succeeded to develop the Photonic Crystal (hereinafter referred to as PhC) on which 100 nm size nanofabrication is performed on an ultraviolet LED (hereinafter referred to as UV-LED) with a wavelength of 385nm. We confirmed the light confinement effect of the PhC.

◆ Background
A photonic crystal is a structure in which the refractive index changes periodically, and is used to confine light in a small area and enhance the interaction between light and matter. By artificially creating a periodic structure with a size that matches the wavelength of light, it is possible to realize metamaterials with optical properties that are not possible with ordinary materials. In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor microfabrication technology, basic operation with low power consumption has been confirmed in optical devices such as optical switches, lasers, optical memories, and laser light sources.
(Refer to NTT R&D website)

◆ Significance
Light from a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) is emitted from the active layer, and the light is emitted 360 degrees in all directions, so the reflector structure inside the chip extracts the light from the front. The LED chip is mounted in a cup-shaped package, and an optical lens narrows the directional angle to control the irradiation range. UV rays are absorbed by resin and glass, so optical lenses with high UV transmittance, such as quartz, are used. Therefore, there is a long-awaited UV-LED that controls the directivity angle without using a lens.

◆ Future
UV-LED is expected to replace ultraviolet (mercury) lamps as a clean light source for semiconductor manufacturing that does not contain harmful substances. By applying photonic crystal processing to UV-LEDs, highly efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly UV light sources can be realized. In addition, as a light source for micro-LED displays, which have been actively developed in recent years, the development of full-color displays by combining UV-LEDs and RGB phosphors is progressing. Optical lens control of the light emitted by a micro-sized UV-LED chip not only increases the cost, but also makes it difficult to fabricate a fine lens array. Therefore, by using photonic crystals, light can be controlled efficiently at low cost.
In addition to UV-LEDs, by applying photonic crystal processing to blue LEDs that are applied to LED lighting, it is possible to realize lighting with higher brightness and lower power consumption than current LED lighting at a low cost.

◆ Photo

On the 385nm UV-LED chip, PhC emits light by confining white light (when power is off)

◆ Contact
Nitride Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
115-7 Itayashima, Akinokami, Seto-cho, Naruto City, Tokushima, 771-0360 Japan
TEL +81-88-683-7750 FAX +81-88-683-7751
Company URL http://www.nitride.co.jp　
Email: nitride@nitride.co.jp

 

TrendForce 2022 Micro LED Self-Emissive Display Trends and Analysis on Supplier's Strategies
Release date: 31 May 2022 / 30 November 2022
Format: PDF
Languages: Tradional Chinese / English
Pages : 130–150 in total (subject to change)

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Publication Dates: April 30 and October 31, 2022
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