Philips Lumileds LED technology breakthrough fundamentally solves efficiency losses at high drive currents
San Jose, CA — Philips Lumileds today announced it has fundamentally solved the problem of “droop”, a phenomenon common to white power LEDs in which efficacy (lumens per watt) decreases as current increases.
The new technology will be implemented in 2007 in the company’s LUXEON® LEDs which already deliver leading light output at drive currents of 1000mA and higher. Sampling of products is expected to begin in the next 90 days with full production in Q3 of 2007.
More light and higher efficacy for white LEDs are essential to opening new lighting markets and to expand the reach of LED lighting into residential lighting segments. Incorporating this new epitaxial technology will allow Philips Lumileds to deliver the industry’s first high-power LEDs that deliver 70 or more lumens per watt at drive currents of 1000mA and higher.
“Philips Lumileds ability to deliver high-efficacy at high-currents will further enable the lighting market where maximum light output and efficacy are critical” said Frank Steranka, Executive VP Research & Development. While 350mA devices continue to improve in light output, they cannot deliver the light output of devices operated at 1A, 2A or even higher. Most LED manufacturers have acknowledged the need to move beyond the 350mA space and have recently announced devices that can operate at currents up to 1000mA. LUXEON® K2 already
supports a maximum current of 1.5A and with our focus on power LEDs we will continue to expand that operating range.”
As part of the company’s expansion efforts, including its new wafer-fab in Singapore, Philips Lumileds is adding the necessary equipment and technology to its production lines so that the new technology can be implemented quickly.
About Philips Lumileds Lighting Company
Philips Lumileds Lighting Company is the world’s leading high-volume manufacturer of power LEDs and a pioneer in the use of solid-state lighting solutions for everyday purposes including automotive lighting, camera flash, LCD televisions, portable lighting and general lighting. The company’s patented LUXEON® Power Light Sources are the first to combine the brightness of conventional lighting with the small footprint, long life and other advantages of LEDs. Philips Lumileds also supplies core LED material and LED packaging, and manufactures billions of LEDs annually. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with operations in the Netherlands, Japan and Malaysia and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, contact Philips Lumileds Lighting Company at 408-964-2900 or visit www.philipslumileds.com.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,700 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2006, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
