Research conducted at the University of Copenhagen's Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) confirms that LEDs made from nanowires provide brighter light sources with less energy.
Researchers have delved into nanowires that utilize X-ray microscopy, and through this method, researchers can determine how to design nanowires to provide the best performance. The findings of this study are published in the ACS Nano scientific journal.
Nanowires are only about 2 microns in size (μm; 1 μm is 1/1000 mm) and have a diameter of about 10-500 nm (nm, 1 nm about 1/1000 μm). The nanowires for LEDs are made of an internal gallium nitride (GaN) core and an outer layer of indium gallium nitride (InGaN), both of which are semiconducting materials.
The light source for such a diode depends on the existence of a mechanical strain between the two materials, and the strain is largely dependent on how the two material layers contact each other. Robert Feidenhansl, a professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and director of the Bohr Institute, explained that we studied a variety of nanowires using X-ray microscopy, and even nanowires in principle, and we can see the differences and their differences Structure.
A related study was conducted using nanoscale X-ray microscopy in the DESY electron synchrotron located in Hamburg, Germany. Although this approach is rather time-consuming, the results are usually very limited or even only serve a single research topic. However, the unique design of nanoscale X-rays allows nanowires to be unobstructed during the process, allowing researchers to successfully measure a wide range of nanowires simultaneously.
The X-ray image of each nanowire shows the distribution of the scattering intensity as well as the mechanical strain on the gallium nitride core and the gallium indium nitride outer layer. According to this strain shows the outer core and perfect fit.
(Source: Northeastern University)
"We measured 20 nanowires, and we were surprised when we saw the image, because you can clearly see the details of each nanowire, including both the core and the outer layers. Any defect or slight bend does not work properly, so we can pinpoint exactly which ones are the best nanowires and have the most efficient core / envelope structure, the "Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen" neutrons and X-rays Tomas Stankevic, a doctoral student in the Scatter team.
Robert Feidenhans'l said that the nanowires will bring a more natural light source for the LED, but will also use less power. In addition, they can also be used in smart phones, televisions and all forms of lighting.
Researchers expect that such nanowire LED lighting can be commercialized within five years.