News: LEDs
2 November 2022
MICLEDI demos 50nm-FWHM 630nm red GaN micro-LEDs
MICLEDI Microdisplays B.V. of Leuven, Belgium – a fabless developer of micro-LED display modules for augmented reality (AR) glasses that was spun off from nanoelectronics research center IMEC in 2019 – has demonstrated 630nm-wavelength red gallium nitride (GaN) with full-width half-maximum (FWHM) in the range of 50nm, enabling the integration of highly optimized monochrome red micro-LEDs into full-color micro-LED display modules. Historically, red micro-LEDs have suffered a reputation as a poor-performing part.
MICLEDI reckons that its approach to micro-LED full-color displays is uniquely positioned to achieve the highest performance standards in AR glasses. Currently, AR glasses for indoor, or semi-darkened, light settings can be less efficient, less bright, and have lower overall performance compared with outdoor sunlight settings. Best-in-class AR glasses with transparent lenses, for use all the way from low indoor light to bright outdoor sunlight, is critical to achieving high-volume consumer adoption of AR glasses. By optimizing the chemistry and physics of each individual color, MICLEDI claims that it enables the highest brightness of any alternative solution on the market.
Consistent with the firm’s fundamental and repeating value proposition, the red GaN:
- is compatible with MICLEDI’s proprietary CMOS-fab technology;
- follows the identical process recipe of its blue and green arrays for consistency;
- accommodates pixel-level micro-lenses for high-efficiency optics integration; and
- is tailored for industry-standard 300mm commercial foundries for high-volume mass production.
“AR headgear in the market today ranges from monochrome monocles for limited information-only displays to monochrome headsets and heads-up displays to full-color glasses for industrial, enterprise and military applications,” notes CEO Sean Lord. “Prices range from $1000 to over $5000 per headset, which is too high for the average consumer. With the addition of red GaN to our tool kit, MICLEDI is perfectly positioned to bring the cost and volume advantages of its 300mm manufacturing flow to open the door to future generations of AR glasses that consumers can afford and enjoy,” he adds.
MICLEDI now has all three micro-LED colors coming onto the market. The company continues its close affiliation with IMEC and other significant partners.
“Red GaN is but one option,” says Lord. “Alternative approaches vary from AlInGaP [aluminium indium gallium phosphide] to quantum dot, and other techniques. MICLEDI is committed to pushing the cost, reliability and performance envelope of each of these alternatives to provide the best in full-color micro-LED display modules across a broad range of performance parameters for transparent lens AR glasses.”
MICLEDI introduced its blue GaN and green GaN LED display test chips earlier this year. The new red samples are projected to be available to customers before the end of the year.
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MICLEDI launches first micro-LED devices with integrated micro-lenses
