More heat than light for UVC LEDs

UVC LED technology is still in its infancy, and among other challenges one barrier is the thermal management of the UVC LEDs. Like any electronic component, LEDs are sensitive to heat. UVC LEDs have a particularly low external quantum efficiency (EQE) – they only convert about 5% of the power input into light. The remaining 95% of the power is converted to heat which must be quickly removed to keep the LED junction below its maximum operating temperature. Failure to keep the LED die cool will at best shorten its life, and at worse cause it to fail catastrophically.