Are microLEDs the next big (small) thing?

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has been around for decades, but the introduction of micro LEDs has changed the way we think about it. As the name suggests, micro LEDs are tiny versions of the regular LEDs engineers use in embedded systems. The main application areas for micro LEDs are displays of various shapes and sizes, from very small to very big.


MicroLEDs are defined as LEDs smaller than 100 micrometers (um) in size. This site is significantly smaller than traditional LEDs, and it opens up new possibilities for applications. The main advantage of micro LEDs is their increased brightness and higher power efficiency compared to OLED or LCD-based displays. This makes them ideal for microdisplays, which are defined as very small displays used for near-eye applications (i.e. not direct view). These displays are usually under 1-inch in size, with high performance (in terms of resolution, brightness, and refresh rates).


The manufacturing process of micro LEDs is challenging due to their small size. As chip size drops, so does the efficiency of the LEDs, due to side-wall defects and other issues. Another issue is the need to transfer the chips from the LED epi wafer to the final display substrate. Considering that most microLED microdisplays could comprise tens of millions of individual LED chips, doing this quickly and reliably is a huge challenge.


Despite these challenges, the potential of micro LEDs is significant. They could potentially displace existing technology or create new application areas. However, it's worth noting that it will likely take quite a bit of time for microLED microdisplays to go mainstream. The path toward high-performance, full-color, and cost-effective microLED microdisplays is not yet clear.


In conclusion, micro LEDs are tiny versions of regular LEDs that have the potential to change the way we think about LED technology. Their small size opens up new possibilities for applications, and their increased brightness and higher power efficiency make them ideal for microdisplays. However, the manufacturing process of microLEDs is challenging due to their small size, and it will likely take quite a bit of time for microLED microdisplays to go mainstream.

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