Has everyone seen this?
the-clock.com
This is great stuff... I've read dribs and draps, but I didn't realize the markets for Cree's existing technology were so large, and apparently already exist:
<Nakamura talked about using compound semiconductors (GaN and InGaN) to make blue LEDs and blue lasers, and their "huge impact on displays, optical communications, DVDs, laser printers.">
<But until recently, no efficient bright blue LED was available. Without blue, displays using LED clusters and projection displays using solid state lasers based on LEDs, could not achieve a satisfactory white, and scenes displayed were not lifelike. Today blue LEDs are used in large area multi-colored displays, LCD backlights and laser printers, long lived and rugged auto and traffic lights, and in optical storage where blue lasers increase by more than three times the density of information stored on optical discs.>
<For large area video and advertising displays "LEDs are more reliable, faster in response than competitive (technologies) including CRTs, filter light bulbs and fiber optic types. (Peanasky/HP) Large full color, giant video displays are up and running in Seoul, Hong Kong, and in Las Vegas, "employing InGaN LEDs"
"LED TV displays are commercial now, What's next?" DenBaars asks and answers, "Projection displays with high power diode sources in conjunction with MEMS and/or DLP."** >
<The advantage of electronic devices made with wide bandgap materials (compound semiconductors like silicon carbide and gallium nitride) lies in their unique properties that allow faster switching than devices made with silicon chips. SiC transistors, used for high power amplifiers, show ten times the power of silicon transistors, with 10 x the voltage capacity, 100 x the radiation resistance, and the ability to work at temperatures above 600° where most circuit boards would be turned to ash, giving off only 1/5 of the heat load. With these characteristics, two markets emerge, said DenBaars: one for optoelectronic products - blue, green, white light emitters, solid state lighting and blue lasers for DVD and display; another for electronic applications that include high power microwave wireless and satellite communications and radar, and high power and temperature applications for power switching and combustion control.>
<At the conference Dr.DenBaars emphasized the unique properties of compound semiconductors GaN and SiC that make them desirable for high frequency and high power electronic devices, such as hi speed transistors for cell phones, solar cells for satellites, laser diodes for telecommunications, barcode readers, laser printers, sensors for brushless motors, and infra red LEDs and detectors for remote control data transmission, and night vision equipment.>
DAK
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