EngineeringElectrical EngineeringElectronic MaterialsOptoelectronicsSemiconductor DevicesLight SourcesLight-emitting DiodesLighting ElectronicsLuminescent MaterialsOptoelectronic DevicesOptoelectronic MaterialsBlue Light-emitting DiodesEfficiency DroopLed LightingLight-emitting Diode LightingOptoelectronic Device ModelingOptoelectronic Properties
The blue light-emitting diode, arguably the greatest optoelectronic advance of the past 25 years, harbors a dark secret: crank up the current and its efficiencies will plummet. The problem is known as droop, and it's not only puzzling the brightest minds in the field, it's also threatening the future of the electric lighting industry.