Quantum Dots from Osram make LEDs even more efficient

Quantum Dots (QD) are nanometer-sized semiconductor particles, which means they are about 10,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Due to their very small size, the light that is re-emitted when blue LED light hits the nanoparticles depends on the size of the particles. For example, QD particles that are roughly three nanometers in size produce green light, while particles around seven nanometers emit red light. This innovative, tunable light conversion technology is now being used for the first time in the Osconiq S 3030 QD mid-power LED from Osram Opto Semiconductors. It marks the first step towards new LED components for the general lighting market. Osram's new mid-power LED Osconiq S 3030 QD was specially developed for area lighting and downlight applications and will empower customers to realize luminaires with high efficacy and excellent color rendering.

When manufacturing conventional white LEDs, the main objectives are efficacy and product quality. Considering both at the same time poses a particular challenge, especially with very high color rendering indexes (CRI), where developers with conventional converter technology have at times, reached their limits. QDs can solve this problem. The great advantage of using these nanoparticles is that the existing LED manufacturing processes remain the same. QDs are simply used instead of conventional phosphors when the converter material is applied.

More than a year ago Osram acquired Pacific Light Technologies (PLT), a leading company in the development and manufacturing of high-performance optical nanomaterials. The PLT QD technology enables Osram to begin to close the efficacy gap that exists between CRI 80 and CRI 90 LEDs today. The new Osconiq S 3030 includes a specially developed QD phosphor solution that enables CRI 90 to achieve an outstanding efficacy value of 173 lm/W at 3000 K – a best-in-class value for 0.2 W high-performance LEDs. The compact dimensions of 3.0 mm x 3.0 mm and the low thermal resistance enable simple system design. The Osconiq S 3030 QD is also available in various color temperatures from 2,700 to 6,500 K.

Another unique feature of the PLT QD technology is that the Quantum Dots are encapsulated to protect them from moisture and other external influences that pose the greatest risk to the functionality of a LED. The special encapsulation technology allows the QDs to reliably master the demanding conditions of on-chip operation within the LED component.