A red high-power LED has set a new efficiency record in an OSRAM Opto Semiconductors R&D lab with an electro-optical efficiency of 61%. The 1 mm² chip housed on a laboratory package emits at a wavelength of 609 nm (λ-dom) and has achieved a record value of 201 lm/W at an operating current of 40 mA. At a typical operating current of 350 mA its luminous efficacy is still an impressive 168 lm/W, which means that even at this high wattage more than half of the electrical energy is converted into light.

LED color mixing systems such as the OSRAM Brilliant Mix concept are the latest trend, particularly for general illumination applications. These systems enable any kind of white light to be produced, from Warm White through Neutral White to Daylight White. The overall performance of the system is as good as the individual components will allow. OSRAM’s new red high-power LED promises a further improvement in the quality of light with lower power consumption, especially in Warm White. This will benefit not only color mixing concepts but also all applications that use high-efficiency red LEDs – in the general illumination, projection and automotive sectors.

Higher efficiency means more light from the same amount of electricity, which in turn means lower power consumption for a particular application. Because fewer chips are needed to produce the same brightness level, designers will have greater freedom. The light sources can be made smaller while still producing the same brightness. Dr. Martin Behringer from the LED development team at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, said: “The results of this project can be extended to all the wavelengths in InGaAlP chip technology so we anticipate a boost in efficiency in these light colors – even at 660 nm which is the wavelength needed for plant lighting for example. Probably we will be introducing the results of this development project across the entire wavelength spectrum into production in about a year’s time.” The enormous increase in output was achieved by a chip with the latest generation of the company’s own thin-film technology.

ABOUT OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS

OSRAM AG (Munich, Germany) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG and one of the two leading light manufacturers in the world. Its subsidiary, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH in Regensburg (Germany), offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has production sites in Regensburg (Germany) and Penang (Malaysia). Its headquarters for North America is in Sunnyvale (USA), and for Asia in Hong Kong. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors also has sales offices throughout the world. For more information go to www.osram-os.com.