White LEDs show promise as a brighter, longer-lasting and more
energy-efficient light source than conventional lighting, such as
incandescent and fluorescent lights, which they may replace in the
future. But scientists have had difficulty producing white LEDs that
are suitable for practical use. Existing technologies produce tinted
shades of white light, require complex components, and become unstable
over time.
Researchers
have developed a new, simpler white LED that shows promise as a more
efficient and stable source of pure white light for improved
illumination of homes and offices. (Credit: The American Chemical
Society)
White-light-emitting single molecules are promising materials for use in a new generation of displays and light sources because they offer the possibility of simple fabrication with perfect color reproducibility and stability. To realize white-light emission at the molecular scale, thereby eliminating the detrimental concentration- or environment-dependent energy transfer problem in conventional fluorescent or phosphorescent systems, energy transfer between a larger band-gap donor and a smaller band-gap acceptor must be fundamentally blocked.
Orange + Blue = White
A new, simpler white LED that is the first to achieve stable white light emissions using a single molecule. Their specially engineered molecule combines two light-emitting materials, one orange and one blue, which together produce white light over the entire visible range. In laboratory studies, the scientists showed that light production from an LED using the new molecule was highly efficient and had excellent color stability and reproducibility, features that make it a practical white light source.
Reference:
White-light-emitting single molecules are promising materials for use in a new generation of displays and light sources because they offer the possibility of simple fabrication with perfect color reproducibility and stability. To realize white-light emission at the molecular scale, thereby eliminating the detrimental concentration- or environment-dependent energy transfer problem in conventional fluorescent or phosphorescent systems, energy transfer between a larger band-gap donor and a smaller band-gap acceptor must be fundamentally blocked.
Orange + Blue = White
A new, simpler white LED that is the first to achieve stable white light emissions using a single molecule. Their specially engineered molecule combines two light-emitting materials, one orange and one blue, which together produce white light over the entire visible range. In laboratory studies, the scientists showed that light production from an LED using the new molecule was highly efficient and had excellent color stability and reproducibility, features that make it a practical white light source.
Reference:
- Park et al. A White-Light-Emitting Molecule: Frustrated Energy Transfer between Constituent Emitting Centers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009; 090610145759060 DOI: 10.1021/ja902533f
Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society.