Nanowires hold promise for improved leds
1 min read
Researchers from Dutch FOM Institute AMOLF, together with colleagues from Philips Research, Eindhoven University of Technology and Delft University of Technology, have developed special nanostructures that they believe could be used as leds.
The researchers say these semiconducting nanostructures can be used to control the direction in which an led emits light. As light can traditionally only escape from led's at small angles, the direction of emission is usually perpendicular to the surface. However, the researchers maintain that this can be influenced by nanostructures in the surface of the led.
Inspired by these nanostructures, the team developed a new technology with which the direction of the light can be changed. The new method consists of growing partially emitting nanowires in an ordered pattern. This pattern formed a 'photonic crystal' that sent the light in specific directions.
The researchers have shown that the emission can be optimised by smart positioning of the emitting part within the nanowire. They believe this knowledge could lead to leds with increased efficiency and even help generate next generation leds based on semiconducting nanowires.
