Taiwan’s NCTU boosts micro-LED brightness using Picosun ALD passivation technology

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) thin-film coating technology firm Picosun of Espoo, Finland has reported results in boosting micro-LED performance using ALD passivation.

Micro-LEDs present a challenge to existing display technologies such as LCDs (liquid-crystal displays), OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) or conventional LEDs. Offering compact size, low power consumption, superior brightness and energy efficiency, greater contrast and color saturation, ultra-high resolution, flexibility and good reliability, micro-LEDs are being studied and developed by leading electronics manufacturers and R&D institutes worldwide, says Picosun. They are typically used for small screens such as those used in tablets, smartphones and smart watches, and the first large-area displays have also been demonstrated.

However, micro-LED technology has drawbacks that have been hindering its full-scale commercial breakthrough. The micro-LED screen consists or minuscule pixels producing green, blue and red light. Some steps in the manufacturing process of these pixels can easily cause damage to their nano-scale structures, leading to loss of light intensity. ALD has now been proven to effectively fix this damage, not only restoring light intensity but actually boosting it to superior levels, says Picosun. At the site of customer National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) in Taiwan, the light-emitting intensity of micro-LEDs has been enhanced by 143.7% by using ALD passivation layers deposited with Picosun ALD equipment, it is claimed (Chen et al, Photonics Research, vol.7 no.4, p416 (2019)).

“Picosun ALD equipment has been an integral part of our facilities for a long time, and we are always impressed by their performance and the superior ALD film quality obtained with them,” comments NCTU professor Hao-Chung Kuo. “Picosun’s customer support is also impeccable, which is very much appreciated considering we collaborate extensively with industries,” he adds.

“Micro-LED technology has immense potential to disrupt the solid-state lighting market, and our Asian customers - both in industries and R&D - will surely lead the forefront of this development,” reckons Edwin Wu, CEO of Picosun Asia Pte Ltd.

Tags: ALD

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