Samsung’s Innovations Redefine Picture Quality Standards

Quantum dots are ultra-fine semiconductor particles that are tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Since inception, their physical characteristics that allow them to provide the highest level of color accuracy and brightness among existing materials had them positioned to revolutionize display technology.

When used in displays, quantum dots support a wide color gamut that closely matches colors perceived by the human eye and facilitate pixel-level light adjustment for more accurate black levels. Emitting light in all directions, quantum dots deliver uniform luminance and consistent color from any viewing angle while minimizing blue light exposure for a more comfortable viewing experience.

The TV industry continues research and development into the commercialization of quantum dots as the material becomes a game-changer in display technology. For that reason, a variety of quantum dot TVs have hit the market recently — offering a wide range of options to customers.

However, key differences in quantum dot TVs lie in how the technology is implemented and the overall quality of the display. To ensure a premium viewing experience, factors such as the amount of quantum dot content, the quality of quantum dot film and the use of no-cadmium materials must be considered.

The true quality of a quantum dot TV is defined by its quantum dot content. The quantum dot film requires a minimum of 3,000 parts per million (ppm) of the material to achieve the vivid, rich picture quality and color expression that only quantum dots can deliver.

Samsung QLEDs eliminate the need for a separate phosphor layer, enhancing light and energy efficiency while delivering more vivid colors. A quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED), which consists of a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer,1 a self-emitting light source and a quantum dot film that uses the light emitted from the light source, takes a step further enhancing picture quality. In either case, a dedicated quantum dot film that contains sufficient quantum dots is key in delivering top-class picture quality and longevity.

In the early stages of developing quantum dot TVs, cadmium was essential to achieving the key benefits of quantum dots such as color reproduction and contrast ratio. At the time, cadmium was considered the most efficient material for producing quantum dots.

However, cadmium’s toxicity became a significant obstacle to the commercialization of quantum dot technology. The element posed serious threats to the environment — making its widespread use difficult despite being the most suitable material for implementing quantum dot technology.

In response to this challenge, Samsung developed the world’s first no-cadmium quantum dot material in 2014 and successfully commercialized quantum dot technology with its SUHD TVs in the following year to open a new era of quantum dot TVs.