Fully-transparent Hole Supplier Layer Nearly Triples UVC LED Light Output without Incurring Forward Voltage Penalty

Livermore, CA – June 11, 2018 – Bolb Inc. announced a new line of ultraviolet c-band light-emitting diodes (UVC LED) featuring record single-chip performance for universal disinfection. UVC LEDs made by Bolb Inc. has achieved 12.2% external quantum efficiency (EQE), and will be the technology-of-choice for medical devices and consumer appliances where chemical-free, residue-free and non-toxic disinfection is preferred. The physical inactivation mechanism afforded by UVC LEDs works equally well against common and emerging pathogens with multi-drug resistance.

For the past two decades, researchers have been stymied by the light-absorbing hole-supplier layer in the device structure of a UVC LED.Attempts at removing this narrow bandgap layer always lead to a significantly degraded current-voltage performance, which translates to higher heat generation and shorter device lifetimes. Bolb Inc.’s new LEDs featuring the UVC-transparent hole-supplying layer do not suffer voltage tradeoff and allows its packaged LEDs to simultaneously achieve 12.2% EQE and 9.5% wall-plug efficiency (WPE).

(Image:Bolb Inc.)

For example, 10~11 mW of UVC power can be obtained from a single 0.5x0.25 mm LED when driving at 20mA forward current from production LEDs, while maintaining a 5.8V forward voltage, at an optimized disinfection wavelength of 265~275 nm. Such a single chip performance is 3-5 times that of the competitors’ offerings at similar wavelengths. Unprecedented performance can be achieved with arrays of such emitters, or a single larger emitter designed for higher drive currents.

Bolb Inc.’s break-through paves the way for UVC LEDs to achieve efficiencies approaching that of visible LEDs within the next few years, and enables wide-ranging applications in hospitals, restaurants, packaging plants, agriculture and homes. For sampling inquiries, please contact info@bolb.co.

About Bolb Inc.
Fast, effective and universal disinfection is the foundation of disease prevention. Bolb Inc. is developing new photonic technologies to replace the century-old toxic mercury lamps, and allow super-efficient and cost-effective ultraviolet emitters to illuminate a healthier, cleaner world. Bolb Inc. was founded by a group of DARPA award winning pioneers of the UVC LED technology, and is headquartered in Livermore, California. To know more about Bolb Inc., please visit www.bolb.co, or email to info@bolb.co.