LIGHT EMITTING

DIODES

BY
C.K.A.NOWFAL RISWAN
 What is LED?

LED are semiconductor p-n junctions that under forward bias conditions can
emit radiation by electroluminescence in the UV, visible or infrared regions of
the electromagnetic spectrum. The qaunta of light energy released is
approximately proportional to the band gap of the semiconductor.
 PRINICIPLE OF LED
• LED WORKS ON PRINICIPLE OF
ELECTROLUMINESENCE.
• Luminescence is a term used to describe the
emission of radiation from a solid when the solid is
supplied with some form of energy.
• Electroluminescence  excitation results from the
application of an electric field
• In a p-n junction diode injection electroluminescence
occurs resulting in light emission when the junction is
forward biased
 CONSTRUCTION OF LED

Al
Light output
SiO2

n
Electrical
contacts

Substrate
 WORKING OF LED

P-n junction Electrical

Contacts

A typical LED needs a p-n junction

There are a lot of electrons and holes at the

junction due to excitations

Electrons from n need to be injected to p to

promote recombination

Junction is biased to produce even more e-h Recombination

and to inject electrons from n to p for
recombination to happen
produces light!!
 MATERIALS REQUIREMENT OF A LED
 UV-ED  ~0.5-400nm
Eg > 3.25eV
Direct band gap
 LED -  ~450-650nm
materials
Eg = 3.1eV to 1.6eV
e.g. GaAs not Si  IR-ED-  ~750nm- 1nm
Eg = 1.65eV

Candidate Materials

Materials with refractive

Readily doped n or p-types
index that could allow light
to ‘get out’
 COLOURS OF LED

LEDs are available in red, orange, amber,

yellow, green, blue and white. Blue and white
LEDs are much more expensive than the other
colours. The colour of an LED is determined by
the semiconductor material, not by the
colouring of the 'package' (the plastic body).
TYPES OF LED BASED ON COLOURS
 BICOLOUR LED.
 TRICOLOUR LED.
Applications of LEDs
 APPLICATIONS OF LED.
• Sensor Applications
• Mobile Applications
• Sign Applications
• Automative Uses
• LED Signals
• Illuminations
• Indicators
 SENSOR APPLICATION
• Medical Instrumentation
• Bar Code Readers
• Color & Money Sensors
• Encoders
• Optical Switches
• Fiber Optic Communication
 MOBILE APPLICATION
• Mobile Phone
• PDA's
• Digital Cameras
• Lap Tops
• General Backlighting
 SIGN APPLICATIONS
• Full Color Video
• Monochrome Message Boards
• Traffic/VMS
• Transportation - Passenger Information
 AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
• Interior Lighting - Instrument Panels &
Switches, Courtesy Lighting
• Exterior Lighting - CHMSL, Rear
Stop/Turn/Tail
• Truck/Bus Lighting - Retrofits, New
Turn/Tail/Marker Lights
 SIGNAL APPLICATION
• Traffic
• Rail
• Aviation
• Tower Lights
• Runway Lights
• Emergency/Police Vehicle Lighting

LEDs offer enormous benefits over traditional incandescent

lamps
including:

• Energy savings (up to 85% less power than incandescent)

• Reduction in maintenance costs
• Increased visibility in daylight and adverse weather conditions
 INDICATORS
 Household appliances
 VCR/ DVD/ Stereo and other audio and
video devices
 Toys/Games
 Instrumentation
 Security Equipment
 Switches
 ILLUMINATIONS
 Architectural Lighting
 Signage (Channel Letters)
 Machine Vision
 Retail Displays
 Emergency Lighting (Exit Signs)
 Neon Replacement
 Bulb Replacements
 Flashlights
 Outdoor Accent Lighting - Pathway, Marker Lights
 ADVANTAGES OF LED
• LIGHT WEIGHT
• VARIOUS COLOURS
• SMALL SIZE
• LONG LIFE
• CHEAP AND AVAILABLE IN MANY COLOURS.
• EASY TO INTERFACE WITH ELECTRONIC
CIRCUITS.
 DISADVANTAGES
• CHARATERISTICS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE.
• LUMINOUS EFFICENCY OF LED IS LOW-
1.5LUMEN/WATT.
• NEED LARGE POWER FOR OPERATION
COMPARED TO P-N JUNTION DIODE.
THANK YOU