New design overcomes long-standing LED efficiency problem

A new design for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) developed by a team including scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) may hold the key to overcoming a long-standing limitation in the light sources' efficiency, Science Daily reports.

The concept, demonstrated with microscopic LEDs in the lab, achieves a dramatic increase in brightness as well as the ability to create laser light - all characteristics that could make it valuable in a range of large-scale and miniaturized applications.

The research was supported in part by the U.S. Army Cooperative Research Agreement.

Photo: Gail Porter