News

11 August 2006

 

Osram focusing R&D on OLEDs for general illumination

Osram Opto Semiconductors of Regensburg, Germany is to intensify its R&D 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, as it is most generally used for room lighting, says the company. Initial research indicates a luminous efficacy for white OLED elements of up to 25lm/W with an appropriate current. Even at brightness levels that are matched to general lighting applications, such OLED elements can achieve values of 18lm/W, which are higher than conventional light bulbs (12lm/W) and almost on a par with halogen lamps (20-26lm/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 will continue to develop polymer-based solutions for displays, its focus will also be on small-molecule technology for illumination applications with OLEDs.

In the future, OLEDs will be used not only in mobile terminals such as MP3 players and mobile phones, but also as extremely thin light sources with large surface areas, says the company. OLEDs could be used for signage and
information systems, as well as to pave the way for applications that have been impossible up to now, it adds. 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.

R&D efforts 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, the company says.


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