Samsung achieves record photon efficacy from packaged white LEDs for indoor farms

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has enhanced its LM301H mid-power LED package for horticulture applications, such as greenhouse and vertical farming (growing crops in stacked layers to optimize the use of space, typically in controlled indoor environments). At 3.10 micromoles per joule (μmol/J), the new version of the LM301H now features what is claimed to be the highest photon efficacy among existing mid-power white LED packages.

“This breakthrough in photon efficacy will go a long way in helping indoor farm owners to maximize plant growth and quality, as well as their profits,” reckons Un Soo Kim, senior VP of Samsung Electronics’ LED Business Team.

Picture: Samsung’s enhanced LM301H mid-power LED for indoor farming.

Measuring 3.0mm x 3.0mm, the LM301H has a correlated color temperature of 5000K and a color rendering index (CRI) of 80 for an injection current of 65mA at 25℃. The photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) – indicating the total amount of photons in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range (400–700nm) that can enhance plant photosynthesis – is 0.56μmol/s.

Because of the photon efficacy, lighting manufacturers can use 30% fewer packages in each luminaire to achieve the same efficacy level as the previous version of the LM301H, allowing for smaller and lighter lamp designs as well as lowered manufacturing costs, notes the firm. In addition, by using the same number of packages, the light efficiency of a luminaire can be improved by at least 4%, enabling indoor farms to reduce their energy use.

Samsung achieved the increase in photon efficacy by optimizing the chip’s light-emitting layer to convert electrical energy into photons with greater efficiency, while an improvement in chip structure minimizes light loss, delivering more light to plants.

Furthermore, due to Samsung’s flip-chip design, the LM301H requires no wire bonding, which helps to extend the packages’ performance and reliability. Titanium dioxide around the chip also ensures higher durability when exposed to agricultural chemicals.

To promote even more balanced plant growth, the white LM301H packages encompass a broader spectrum of light from blue and green to red, enhancing immunity from plant disease and providing greater nutritional value.

Samsung expects to begin mass producing the new LM301H packages at the end of April and is showcasing them at LIGHTFAIR International 2019 in Philadelphia, PA, USA (21–23 May).

See related items:

Samsung expands horticulture LED lineups for greenhouse and vertical farming

Samsung offers LED products optimized for horticulture lighting

Tags: Samsung LEDs

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