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Light Emitting Diode (LED)

A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electrical energy into light
energy. An LED consists of two elements of processed material called P-type semiconductors and Ntype semiconductors. These two elements are placed in direct contact, forming region called the P-N
junction. The LED has transparent package, allowing visible or IR energy to pass through it. The
output from the LED can range from red (at wavelength of approx. 700 nanometres) to blue-violet
(about 400 nanometres). Some LEDs emits infrared energy (830 nanometres or longer).
Diodes act as one-way valves for electrical current. Current flows through a diode easily in
one direction and the ideal diode blocks current flow in the other direction. The very name diode
comes from the Greek meaning two pathways. The diode-like behaviour comes from joining two types
of semiconductors, one that conducts electricity using electrons (n-type semiconductor) and one that
conducts electrons using holes, or the lack of electrons (p-type semiconductor). The electrons will try
to fill the holes, but applying voltage in the proper direction ensures a constant supply of holes and
electrons to conduct electricity through the diode. The electrons and holes have different energies, so
when the electrons combine with holes, they release energy. For most diodes this energy heats the
diode. However, by adjusting the types and properties of the semiconductors making up the diodes,
the energy difference between holes and electrons can be made larger or smaller. If the energy
difference corresponds to the energy of a photon of light, then the energy is given off in the form of
light (Benge, 2015).

Classification of LED

LED
Organic LED
(OLED)
Small
molecules
OLED
(SMOLED)

Inorganic
LED

Polymer OLED
(PLED/LEP)

Figure 1 Classification of LED

Light Emitting Polymer (LEP)
Light emitting polymer is a polymer that emits light when a voltage is applied to it. Polymers
with the semiconductor characteristics are used as LEPs. The structure comprises of a thin film
semiconducting polymer sandwiched between two electrodes. When electrons and holes are pushed
through these electrodes, the recombination of these charge takes place, which leads to emission of
the light that escape through the glass substrate. The band gap of the semiconducting material
determines the wavelength of the light produced.
Basic structure and working
An LEP display is consists of the polymer material manufactured on a substrate of glass. The indiumtin oxide (ITO) coated glass is coated with a polymer and on top of it there is a metal electrode of Al,
Li, Mg, or Ag. In this structure, the ITO layer functions as a transparent electrode, and allows the light
generated within the diode to leave the device. When the forward bias is applied, holes and electrons
move into the polymer. Electron and holes have different energy levels. When they combine in
depletion region, energy is released, light come out of the device.

Figure 2 Structure of LEP

A conjugated polymer derives their semiconducting properties by having delocalized pielectron bonding along the polymer chain. The pi (bonding) and pi* (anti-bonding) orbitals forms
delocalized valence and conduction wave functions, which support mobile charge carriers. Polymer
LEDs operates by injection of electrons and holes from negative and positive electrodes, respectively.
Electrons and holes capture one another within the polymer film, and form neutral bound excited
states (termed as exctions). Excitons in conjugated polymer are generally considered to be more
strongly localized. These excitons are in excited state and go back to their initial state by emitting
energy. When this energy drop occurs, light comes out from the device.
In order to achieve efficient luminescence, it is necessary to have good balancing of electron
and hole currents, efficient capture of electrons and holes within the emissive layer, strong radiative
transitions for singlet excitons, efficient coupling of these excitons to photon states allowed in the
device structure.

Types of LEPS

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Three types of Organic light emitting diodes available in the market include flexible, stacked
and transparent.

Light
emitting
polymer
(LEP)
Flexible
Organic
LEP's
(FOLED's)

Stacked
Organic
LEP's
(SOLED's)

Transparent
LEP's
(TOLED's)

Figure 3 Types of Light Emitting Polymer

a. Flexible Organic LEDs (FOLEDs)
FOLEDs are built on the flexible substrates. Flat panel displays have traditionally been
fabricated on the glass substrate. Flexible materials are highly desired substrates because
these have significant performance and cost advantages.
Advantages:
1. Flexibility
2. Ultra- light weight, thin form
3. Durability
4. Offers excellent performance characteristics
5. Cost effective processing

b. SOLEDs
It consists of an array of vertically stacked TOLED sub pixels. To separately tune colour and
brightness, each of the red, green, and blue sub pixels elements is individually controlled.
Colour is controlled by adjusting the ratio of current in three elements.
c. TOLEDs
It employs an innovative transparent contact to achieve an enhanced display. TOLEDs can
be top, bottom, or both top and bottom emitting (transparent). This option creates a host of

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exciting new display opportunity. It is bright, self- emitting displays that can be directed to emit
from either or both surfaces.
Advantages
1. Directed top emission
2. Transparency
3. Enhanced high ambient contrast.

ADVANTAGES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Requires only 3.3 volts and have lifetime of more than 30,000 hours
Large single emitter
Smooth brightness
Arbitrary structures
Greater power efficiency than all other flat plate displays.
No directional or blurring effects.
Can be viewed at any angle.
Glare free view up to 160 degree.
Less manufacturing cost.
Can scale from tiny devices mili-meters in dimension to high definition device up to 5.1

meters in diameters.
11. Fast switching speed, which is 1000 times more than LCD.
12. Higher Luminescence efficiency.
13. High temperature range

APPLICATIONS:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Multi or full colour cell phone/Laptop displays.

Full colour high resolution personal digital assistants.
Heads-up instrumentation for cars.
Light weight wrist watches.
High definition television.
Automobile light systems without bulbs.
Military uniform
Aircraft cockpit instrumentation panel
Photovoltaic cell

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References
1. https://www.cdtltd.co.uk/pdf/SID-CDT-Sumitomo.pdf
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED#cite_note-41
3. http://image.slidesharecdn.com/polymerlightemittingdiode-140514102239phpapp02/95/polymer-light-emitting-diode-9-638.jpg?cb=1400063150
4. http://www.slideshare.net/HarinRagishetti/lep-30827342
5. Dedicated to Professor Frank E. Karasz of UMASS (Electrolumiescent Polymer, Received 4
January 2002; Revised 11 July 2002; accepted 12 July 2002) ELSEVIER, 893
6. R. H. Friend, R. W. Gymer, A. B. Holmes, J. H. Burroughes, R. N. Marks, C. Taliani, D. D. C.
Bradley, D. A. Dos Santos, J. L. Bredas, M. Logdlund & W. R. Salaneck
Electroluminescence in conjugated polymers Nature, Vol 397, 14 Jan 99.
7. Maryam, Massah Bidgoli. Farhad, Akbari Boroumand. Alireza Khademi Use of a New Blue
Emitter in Color-Stable, Flexible, Polymeric White Light-Emitting Diodes with a
Simple Structure August 2015, Volume 44, Issue 8, pp 2745-2753
8. Benge, Raymond D., Jr., B.S., M.S Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) Salem Press
Encyclopaedia of Science, January 15.