Costs ‘significantly reduced’ by new silicon based led technology

The performance was achieved at a colour correlated temperature of 4730K using a single 1.5mm power led operated at 350mA. The leds have low operating voltages, requiring 2.90V at 350mA. The low forward voltage and thermal resistance of the devices are designed for high performance, illumination grade applications. Bridgelux claims optimisation of the epitaxy process on 8in Si wafers will make led manufacturing compatible with existing automated semiconductor lines. "The significantly reduced cost structures enabled by silicon based led technology will continue to deliver dramatic reductions in the up front capital investment required for solid state lighting," said Bill Watkins, company ceo. "In a few years, even the most price sensitive markets, such as commercial and office lighting, residential applications, and retrofit lamps will seamlessly and rapidly convert to solid state lighting." The company anticipates the delivery of its first commercially available GaN on silicon products over the course of the next two to three years.