Scientific progress is constantly becoming the driving force behind the development of modern technologies surrounding us in our life. One such example is the invention of technology - MicroLED. In general, nothing new was simply made by ordinary LEDs microscopic and placed them very tightly next to each other. As a result of such changes, significantly different visual characteristics of the displays were obtained. High quality indicators of displays based on microLED LEDs provide phenomenal properties and speak of their great future in the future and therefore we can already say that this exceeds the technological capabilities of OLED and LCD / LED matrixes. In addition, it became clear that the use of displays based on MicroLED significantly expands their capabilities, for example, their unlimited use in portable devices such as headsets, players, laptops and many other specialized devices is possible. The only significant complexity of this technology is the establishment of its industrial production, since operations in the production of such matrices should be carried out with high accuracy. That is why most of the world's leading manufacturers have joined in the development of this technology and its adaptation to industrial facilities.
Devices based on MicroLED technology are large controllable arrays of semiconductor LEDs that emit light flux depending on the level of voltage applied to them. Each individual pixel is a so-called RGB LED triad (red, green and blue), the size of which is within 100 microns, approximately has a thickness of less than one tenth of the thickness of a human hair. Additionally, it is possible to control each individual pixel, that is, if necessary, you can simply turn it off providing the necessary image brightness. The color of each individual pixel itself is formed due to the degree of brightness of each individual subpixel. Thanks to this supposedly simple structure, excellent quality characteristics of contrast and brightness were obtained.
History of the invention
MicroLED semiconductor technology (µLED) was first invented in 2000 by a research team of Professors Hongxing Jiang, Jingyu Lin from Texas Tech University when they worked at Kansas State University. Many potential applications have been identified since the first report on the electrical properties of microLED based on Indium Gallium Nitride Semiconductors (InGaN).
- - The first experimental arrays of InGaN-based LEDs and microdisplays were mainly passively driven.
- - The first active-emission InGaN microLED VGA (640 x 480 pixels, 12 microns and 15 microns in size) microdisplay with low power consumption was implemented in 2011.
- - The first products based on microLED technology were demonstrated by Sony in 2012, but they were extremely expensive.
To date, over 130 companies are involved in the research and development of microLED technology. MicroLED-based LEDs are considered to be an alternative to OLED and LED / LCD panels and will be replacing them in the near future.
Advantages and Features of MicroLED
High brightness and contrast
In the case of MicroLED arrays, we have unique results with virtually infinite contrast levels thanks to the use of microscopic LED sizes and independent controllability. There is a possibility to switch off each specific LED of the array. Color filters are not used in this technology and the brightness of the diodes reaches simply incredible values. For example, the maximum brightness of OLED panels reaches values within 1000 nt, while MicroLED TVs can easily reach values within 4000 nt, which is not a limit and may increase to 10,000 nt over time.
Reaction speed
With the use of small size LEDs, it is possible to talk about the high values of the matrix response. Considering the fact that OLED matrices already have this parameter within microseconds, in the case of MicroLED matrices it is possible to talk about reducing this parameter by a thousand times, to the level of several nanoseconds.
Low power consumption
Due to such a simple matrix structure and the absence of a backlight unit, it is possible to obtain a significant reduction in power consumption, compared to LCD displays, we have a gain of 90% and OLED matrices of 50%. This factor is extremely important as it enhances the use of this technology in portable devices such as mobile phones, increasing their battery life.
Service life
Due to the use of inorganic materials it is possible to talk about the extended life of the matrix, because despite all the advantages of organic materials, they have the properties of rapid burnout. Approximately 11,000 hours of uninterrupted service life without any loss of image quality (approximately 11 years) are tentatively stated.
View angle and design
Thanks to the use of microscopic LED sizes, we have a large viewing angle of 180 degrees and a minimum screen thickness, even compared to OLED matrices, which greatly expands the use of MicroLED panels.
The complexity of technology
A major complication of MicroLED technology is the solution to their massive industrial output, as it is extremely difficult to create large-sized LED arrays. The problem is that millions of microscopic LEDs with ultra-high precision on the floor of the matrix need to be transferred and fixed. That is, to understand the essence of the problem, it is necessary that each pixel contains 3 separate microscopic LEDs, ie in fact in 4K the panel should have a circle of 25 million microscopic LED lights. One way to solve this is to create single-chip arrays that can be further merged into large diagonal screens.
LG Electronics and microLED technology
Like most leading companies, the corporation did not stand aside from the development and implementation of this technology in production. Considering all the advantages of these types of matrices, LG Electronics was involved in the further development and introduction of them into mass production.
- - In early 2018, LG Electronics registered three new brands: XμLED, SμLED, and XLμLED, which will be associated with MicroLED technology.
- - As it was announced earlier at the IFA-2018 exhibition in Berlin, the 173 “MicroLED 4K matrix (4.4 meters) was presented. This new product had a modular design and allows you to choose the screen size depending on the user's wishes.
- - At the InfoComm 2019 exhibition in Orlando, Florida (USA), the MicroLED matrix with support for 8K format was demonstrated. A feature of this matrix was that it was created using microscopic LEDs with a size of 50 μm. (About half the thickness of a human hair).
- - At the CES 2020 exhibition in Las Vegas, USA, an 8K 144 "MicroLED matrix was shown.
- - At the end of the summer of 2020, the company announced the possibility of ordering and regular sales of LSAB009 "LG Magnit" displays with a screen diagonal of 163 inches, with a pixel pitch of 0.97 mm and built using microLED technology.
