LED
part · 1962 · Digital age
A semiconductor diode that emits light (Holonyak; Losev observed it in the 1920s).
Inventors: H. J. Round, Oleg Losev, James R. Biard, Nick Holonyak.
Principles and materials it uses
- Electroluminescence — uses. A p–n junction glows under current.
- Gallium arsenide — is made of. The first LEDs were gallium arsenide phosphide.
- Semiconductor — is made of. An LED is a semiconductor.
Where it is used
- Torch (flashlight) — is part of. Modern torches use LEDs.
- Pixel matrix (OLED) — is part of. OLEDs are organic light-emitting diodes.
- Smartphone — is part of. The camera flash.
- Computer mouse — is part of. An optical mouse.
- Liquid-crystal display — is part of. LED backlighting.
- Remote control — is part of. An infrared LED.
- Pulse oximeter — is part of. Red and infrared LEDs.
- Turn signal — is part of. LEDs.
- Bike light with dynamo — is part of. An LED.
- Otoscope — is part of. Illumination.
- Traffic light — is part of. LEDs.
- Street light — is part of. LEDs.
- Billboard — is part of. LED screens.
- Operating microscope — is part of. An illuminator.