Osram Quantum Dots Make LEDs Even More Efficient
Quantum Dots (QD), an 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.
QDs 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.
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.
To learn more about Osram's new Osconiq S3030, please use Osram Opto's product selector.
About Osram:
Osram, based in Munich, is a leading global high-tech company with a history dating back more than 110 years. Primarily focused on semiconductor-based technologies, our products are used in highly diverse applications ranging from virtual reality to autonomous driving and from smartphones to smart and connected lighting solutions in buildings and cities. Osram uses the endless possibilities of light to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. Osram's innovations enable people all over the world not only to see better, but also to communicate, travel, work and live better. Osram has approximately 26,400 employees worldwide as of end of fiscal 2017 (September 30) and generated revenue of more than €4.1 billion. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt and Munich (ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED 400; trading symbol: OSR). Further information can be found at www.osram.com
