A Light Emitting Diode Engineering Essay

A accrue Emitting rectifying tube Engineering EssayA Light-Emitting Diode in consequence is a P-N junction solid-state semiconductor device semiconductor diode that fleets soft when a stark naked is applied though the catch.1 By scientific definition, it is a solid-state device that controls authorized without the deficiency of having heated filaments. How does a take work? snow-covered guides ordinarily need 3.6 Volts of Direct Current (DC) and go for approximately 30 milliamps (mA) of current and has a power dissipation of approximately 100 milliwatts (mW). The authoritative power is connected to one side of the exonerated- take placeting diode semiconductor by the anode and a whisker and the other side of the semiconductor is attached to the apex of the anvil or the negative power lead (cathode). It is the chemical make-up or makeup of the direct semiconductor that determines the color of the wakeful that the conduct formulates as wholesome as the potenc y level. The epoxy resin verge allows most of the light to escape from the elements and protects the guide making it virtually indestructible. Furthermore, a light- castting diode does not fix any wretched parts, which makes the device extremely resistant to damage payable to vibration and shocks. These characteristics make it ideal for purposes that quest reliability and strength. light-emitting diodes therefore potful be deemed invulnerable to catastrophic mischance when operated within design parameters.Figure 1 shows a classifiable conventional indicator LED. Traditional indicator LEDs utilize a small LED semiconductor splintering that is mounted on a reflector shape overly cognise as the anvil, on a lead-frame (whisker).This whole constellation is encased in epoxy which also serves the purpose of a lens. LEDs have very high thermal resistance with upwards of 200K per Watt.LEDs be super monochromatic, only launchting a single excellent color in a narrow frequ ency range. The color emitted from an LED is identified by anthesis wavelength (lpk) which is measured in nanometers (nm). The peak wavelength is a habit of the material that is use in the manufacturing of the semiconductor.3 Most LEDs ar produced using gallium-based crystals that differ in one or more additional materials such(prenominal) as phosphorous to produce distinct colors. Different LED chip technologies enable manufacturers to produce LEDs that emit light in a specific region of the distinct light spectrum and ingeminate different intensity levels. Thus, one would vary the material apply in the production of LEDs in order to obtain the desired results. The represent below depicts the variation in response time for the specific wavelength of light.precept MechanismThe essential portion of the Light Emitting Diode is the semiconductor chip.Semiconductors substructure be either intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic semiconductors atomic number 18 those in which the g alvanizingal behavior is based on the electronic structure constitutional to the pure material.5 When the electrical characteristics are dictated by impurity atoms, the semiconductor is said to be extrinsic.6 See Appendix A for further data regarding the different materials and their characteristics. This chip is further divided into deuce parts or regions which are separated by a boundary called a junction. The p-region is henpecked by positive electric charges (holes) and the n-region is dominated by negative electric charges (electrons). The junction serves as a barrier to the emanate of the electrons between the p and the n-regions. This is somewhat similar to the role of the band-gap because it determines how much voltage is needed to be applied to the semiconductor chip before the current can fertilise and the electrons pass the junction into the p-region.In general, to achieve higher(prenominal) momentum states (with higher velocities), there must be an empty nothing sta te into which the electron albuminthorn be excited. (In other words, to achieve a net flow of electrons in one direction, some electrons must change their wave vectors thereby increasing their energy.) 8 Band-gaps determine how much energy is needed for the electron to spring from the valence band to the conductivity band. As an electron in the conduction band recombines with a hole in the valence band, the electron makes a transition to a lower-lying energy state and releases energy in an keep down equal to the band-gap energy.This energy is released in photons. Normally the energy heats the material. In an LED this energy goes into emitted infrared or visible light.If a large passable electric potential difference (voltage) is absent, crosswise the anode and cathode, the junction serves as an electric potential barrier to the flow of electrons. When sufficient voltage is applied across the chip of the LED, the electron has enough driving force to move in one direction over the junction that separates the p-region and the n-region. The p-region (holes) is where the positive charge forms the majority of charges. (Implicitly, there are also negative charges but they are the minority).Vice versa for the n-region. The electrons from the n-region essentially flow across the junction into the p-region. In the p-region, the electrons are attracted to the positive charges due the mutual Columbic forces of attraction between opposite charges of same magnitude. Thus recombination occurs. afterwards every successful recombination, electric potential energy is transformed into electromagnetic energy. This releases a quantum electromagnetic energy that is emitted in the form of a photon of light with frequencies characteristic of the semiconductor that was employ in the process. These photons have specific wavelengths and so specific colors according to the different materials employ. Therefore, different compositions of the chemical elements use in the manufactu ring of the semiconductor results in different colors emitted as well as different energies needed to light them.The electrical energy is in proportion to the voltage adoptd to enable the electrons to flow across the p-n junction. Predominantly, LEDs emit light of a single color.ApplicationThere are versatile materials that are apply in the manufacturing of Light Emitting Diodes. Most of the materials are gallium-based crystals and are utilize in high-brightness applications. Gallium is a minor metal far-famed by its low melting point of 29.8 C, the name being derived from Gallia, the Latin for France, which was where it was discovered. 14Among these include AlGaAs (Aluminum-Gallium-Arsenide), a semiconductor that typically generates the red spectrum, frequently used in signs, displays and electronic equipment.InGaAlP(Indium-Gallium-Aluminum-Phosphide) produces the yellow-green wavelength tored are often used in signs, auto interior as well as exterior, employment signals and cellphones.15 InGaN (Indium-Gallium-Nitride) typically generates Blue, Green and white spectrums and are used most often in full color signs, cell-phones, auto interior, tradesignals.16. Furthermore, there is agency for further feeler on the design of traffic lights. The visible light from the LEDs in a traffic light can further be modulated and encoded with information. Hence, it can be used for the broadcasting of audio messages or any traffic or road information. Essentially, all LED traffic lights can be used as communications devices. 17 InGaN LEDs too has been make the light starting time of choice for many diagnostic and photo-therapy applications from the Ultra-violet to the near Infrared. 18 Light-emitting diodes (LED) emit light in proportion to the forward current through the diode.Light Emitting Diodes are the cutting edge technology of lighting today. Generally,Light Emitting Diodes are categorized according to their performance. The performance of aLED is linked t o a few primary characteristics of the LED itself which includes color, peak wavelength and intensity. As LEDs are highly monochromatic, LEDs are differentiated according to their peak wavelength. Peak wavelength is a function of the LED chip material.Although manufacturing process variations produce a meter loss of 10nm, nevertheless, these variations are perceptible to the human eye because the 565nm to 600nm wavelength spectral region (yellow to amber) is where the sensibility level of the human eye is at its peak. 19 See Appendix B for details on the different semiconductor types as well as characteristics of those semiconductors.The light output of a specific LED varies with the type of chip, encapsulation and readiness of case-by-case wafer hardenings. There may be other random covariants that may affect the performance of the LED too. This typically is categorized into the nuisance variable factor and is taken into account as the error margin. Many LED manufacturers us e different terms such as super-bright, and ultra-bright to describe LED intensity. However, such terminology is entirely subjective, as there really is no industry standard for LED brightness.Luminous intensity is roughly proportionate to the amount of current (I) supplied to the LED. The bang-uper the current, the higher the intensity.20 Nevertheless, luminous intensity (Iv) does not represent the total light output from an LED. Both the luminous intensity and the spatial radiation pattern (viewing weight) must be taken into account. If two LEDs have the same luminous intensity value, the lamp with the larger viewing angle bequeath have the higher total light output.Overall profile can be enhanced by increasing the number of LED chips in the encapsulation, increasing the number of individual LEDs, as well as utilizing secondary optics to distribute light. To illustrate, consider similar red GaAlAs LED chip technology in four different configurationsIn each individual case, th e amount of visible light depends on the application of the LED as well as how the LED is being viewed. The single chip apparatus may be suitable for direct viewing in demarcation line with high ambient lighting. The 6-chip may be more suitable as a backlight to a switch or small legend, while the clop or lensed LED design may best be used to illuminate a pilot light or larger lens.In this millennium, Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs are making major inroads into a lot of industries. In the past, filament bulbs like incandescent and halogen lamps dominated and were the main source of lighting. Today, in the automotive industry, we see cars with LEDs for taillights and instrument panels. Why the switch to the new technology? Among the reasons why include the longevity of the LED itself. It lasts on add up 20,000 hours for a 15-Watt traffic light in comparison to 1000 hours for typical filament bulbs.23 Generally, LEDs are designed to operate upwards of 100,000 hours. This greatly su percedes the standard incandescent bulb with an average lifespan of about 5000 hours.LEDs too are low voltage devices that respond almost instantaneously to changes in current (10Mhz).24This would entail better safety for motorists on the road. Costs of maintenance of the fomite would too decrease as replacements of the lighting fixtures need not be done as often. With such fast reponse times, LEDs used as an unbiased photodiode, exhibits a non-linear power dependent response that also can be used for sensitive detection and characterization of mode-locked femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses. 25In the electronic industry, we have LEDs for lighting of almost everything. The ergonomic flat-panel computer screens otherwise known as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are also in essence miniature LED clusters. The basis of LCDs marks another milestone in development in the hi-tech industry. Displays now can be do that use less power as well as emit much less radiation in comparison w ith the traditional cathode pecker tube(CRT) display. According to Keith Robinson for Frost Sullivan, The light emitting diode(LED) marketplace, especially the visible LED (VLED) market, is poised to mystify explosive growth once economical conditions improve in North America. The most satisfying technology improvement that has taken place in the last 10 years for LEDs is the introduction of blue and blue-green LEDs. The nitride-based LEDs have opened new opportunities for manufacturers of lighting products, such as traffic signal manufacturers and outdoor signboard manufacturers. The increased use of the new colors in consumer products and automotive applications is expected to have a positive impact on the market. 26Manufacturers have always been striving to recapitulate colors as accurately as possible.This is has always been the holy grail for the display industry. LEDs have made this a reality. Typical incandescent bulbs cannot replicate the vivid colors that can be repr oduced using LEDs. LEDs give pure saturated colors with up to 130% more gamut compared to standard NTSC specifications.27 pee the reproduction of white light. When light from all parts of the visible spectrum lap covering one another, the additive mixture of colors appears white. However, the eye does not require a mixture of all the colors of the spectrum to perceive white light. immemorial colors from the upper, middle, and lower parts of the spectrum (red, green, and blue), when combined, appear white. To achieve this combination with LEDs requires a sophisticated electro-optical design to control the blend and diffusion of colors. Variations in LED color and intensity further complicate this process.Presently, it is possible to produce white light with a single LED using a phosphor point (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) on the surface of a blue (Gallium Nitride) chip.28Although this technology produces divers(a) hues, white LEDs may be appropriate to illuminate opaque lenses or ba cklight legends. However, using colored LEDs to illuminate similarly colored lenses produces better visibility and overall appearance in comparison with CRTs. Moreover, LEDs are not substandard in the reliability department. LEDs are solid state devices with no moving parts as well as no fragile render or filaments.LEDs too use up to 90% less energy in comparison with conventional bulbs and lamps today.29 Today a LED blowlamp may last up to 200% longer with the same batteries used to operate conventional filament flashlights. 30 Furthermore, LEDs are environmental friendly because they ingest no mercury and since they last longer (about 100,000 continuous hours of life) there will be less disposal waste in the environment. This in bite would result is less pollution and less wastage of our precious and limited resources.LEDs also form the foundation for applications in optical- case communication and diode lasers. They produce a narrow spectrum of coherent red or infrared light that can be well collimated. This characteristic of the light produced by LEDs has enabled engineers to manipulate the setup to enable data transfer. This has made it possible for continents to be linked via the internet. selective information can be sent across the globe in a matter of fractions of a second and vast chunks of data can be transmitted without a hitch. With the improvement of infrastructure, the benefits extend also to the general populace. in the beginning we had modems that used coaxial copper cables, today we have T1 to T3 connections which utilize fiber optics.Most institutions, organizations and companies that require the use of large bandwidths of data have such connections. Take for example, San Jose State University, it utilizes severalT3 connections to the internet and has T1 connections locally across campus to assuage data congestion. In this way, data is made readily available to those supperless for knowledge.ConclusionLight Emitting Diodes has such a profound impact on society. It affects our daily lives as well as activities. It is used in so many applications and so many places. With LightEmitting Diodes, so many significant improvements to already existing technology could be made. Historically the LED market has experienced signal digit growth of about 8.5 share.The laser diode market has experienced double-digit growth in the past of approximately30.0 percent and once economic conditions improve it is anticipated that the market will experience strong growth rates once again. 31 As this technology expands, so does our horizon and our conquest for the betterment of todays technology. Light Emitting Diodes truly is a great invention of the age.