A partnership has been announced between Plessey Semiconductors and Nanoco Technologies to shrink the pixel size of monolithic microLED displays using Nanoco’s cadmium free quantum dot (CFQD quantum dots) semiconductor nanoparticle technology. Using its existing monolithic process, Plessey will integrate the Nanoco CFQD quantum dots into selected regions of blue LED wafers to add red and green light.
This shrinks the smallest practical pixel size from today’s 30 to just 4µm, a reduction of 87%. The process will enable the production of smaller, higher-resolution, microLED displays in applications such as AR/VR devices, watches, and mobile devices, while enhancing both color rendition and energy efficiency.
For pixels of 30µm or greater, color conversion is currently performed by adding phosphors to the blue die. However, since the smallest phosphor particle is around 30µm, the efficiency of color conversion deteriorates as the pixel size shrinks. Nanoco’s CFQD quantum dot technology overcomes this limitation while facilitating efficient, compact device packaging.
“Quantum dots offer the best solution for today’s emerging display requirements. The nano-sized emitters with narrow band emission make them a suitable solution for Plessey’s microLED display roadmap, which will see pixels being driven down to 4µm in size by 2019,” said Mike Lee, President of Corporate and Business Development at Plessey.
Dr Brian Gally, Nanoco’s Head of Product, commented: “We are thrilled to be working in close collaboration with Plessey, who lead the global field in the development and production of mircroLED arrays. The combination of Plessey’s blue microLEDs with Nanoco’s red and green cadmium free quantum dots gives display customers the performance they require to rapidly commercialize products.”
Compared with all other display technologies, microLEDs are brighter, smaller, lighter, more energy-efficient and have a longer operating life. Where they replace OLEDs, for example in AR/VR goggles or head-up displays, Plessey microLEDs reportedly offer ten times the resolution, 100 times the contrast ratio, and up to 1,000 times the luminance. They do so at half the power consumption, doubling battery life in portable devices. They also feature perfect blacks, realistic color, and immunity to burn-in or decay over time.
Plessey was recently named as a ‘CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree.’ The company will be showcasing its microLED technology at the event in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, South Hall 1, stand 22048.
Visitors can schedule a demo or meeting at CES, held in Las Vegas between the 8th and 11th of January.
