Technology Description

Researchers at OSU have developed a new micro-LED utilizing carbon quantum dots that have strong excitation in the blue spectrum with tunable emission at high quantum efficiency in the orange and red, independent of excitation wavelength. The micro-LED structure also has negligible leakage of excitation light in the UV or blue through the color conversion layer, making these devices suitable for next generation high resolution displays without the use of toxic heavy metals.

Features & Benefits

• Low excitation leakage
• Environmentally friendly
• Enhanced red color

Applications

• Light emitting devices or sensors
• Fluorescence labeling in biosensors
• Electronic displays

Background of Invention

Micro light emitting diode (micro-LED) display is emerging as a candidate to drive a new generation of display technology. LED-based light sources are also widely used in lighting applications. It remains a challenge to develop cost-effective color conversion micro-LED technologies with enhanced light emission efficiency and minimized excitation light leakage through its color conversion layer. Carbon dots are also an emerging material for micro-LEDs as an alternative to more expensive quantum materials, some of which are toxic due to the presence of cadmium or other heavy metals. However, carbon dots remain difficult to produce with consistent size distribution, improved quantum yield, and tunable emission color, especially in the longer wavelengths of the visible spectrum (i.e., orange and red). This technology addresses these challenges.

Status

Patent pending and looking for partners.

Size distribution of red emission carbon quantum dots

excitation and emission spectra