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OSRAM Opto Semiconductors to Focus Research and Development Efforts on Organic LEDs (21/8/2006)

Lighting of the Future to Pave the Way in General Illumination

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors today announced that it will intensify its research and development efforts on Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) for general illumination, while expanding its existing business in OLED displays.

White light will be the main focus of the company's research and development, as it is the one most generally used for room lighting. Initial research indicates a luminous efficacy for white OLED elements of up to 25 lm/W with an appropriate current. Even at brightness levels that are matched to general lighting applications, these OLED elements can achieve values of 18 lm/W, which are higher than conventional light bulbs (12 lm/W) and almost on a par with halogen lamps (20 to 26 lm/W).

"These impressive values have been achieved thanks to a sophisticated sequence of organic layers that produce much better luminous efficacy compared with previous versions," said MW Lui, Manager, OLED Products. "The new layer arrangement enables efficient low-profile light sources to be designed, and opens up new and exciting dimensions in lighting design and application."

While OSRAM Opto Semiconductors will continue to develop polymer-based solutions for displays, the company's focus will also be on small-molecule technology for illumination applications with OLEDs.

OLEDs will be used in the future not only in mobile terminals such as MP3 players and mobile phones, but also as extremely thin light sources with large surface areas. OLEDs could be used for signage and information systems, as well as to pave the way for a variety of applications that up to now have been impossible. For example, they could be produced on transparent substrates or substrates with various contours or even flexible substrates.

Additionally, they may one day be used as illuminated wallpaper or for low-profile high-definition wall mounted screens.

Research and development efforts in Regensburg, Germany, will focus on the design and implementation of special component architectures for OLEDs, as well as increasing their efficiency, lifespan and scaling up to large areas.

www.osram-os.com