Article Abstracts | July 2007
The complete article appears in the July 2007 issue of Photonics Spectra. If you do not have a copy of this issue,
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Photonic Crystals Enable Ultrabright LEDs
Advances in fabrication techniques allow integration of photonic crystals with LEDs,
improving light output.
by Faiz Rahman and Richard De La Rue, University of Glasgow
Semiconductor light-emitting devices have almost completely replaced incandescent bulbs in indicators and other low-level-lighting applications. It is widely believed that, over the next few years, ongoing developments will bring about a similar replacement in the space lighting arena. Such developments are being driven by the promise of higher energy efficiency from LED-based light sources.
In recent years, several companies have started commercial production of LED-based light fixtures for decorative and residential applications. The higher initial cost of these commercial offerings is offset by their long-term energy savings. Add to this the much longer life expectancy of LEDs compared with that of incandescent luminaries, and the decision to replace conventional lightbulbs looks even wiser. Many of these LED lighting units use high-power LEDs, such as the Luxeon device from Philips Lumileds Lighting Co. of San Jose, Calif.
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