- 22 May 2006 -

AlN LEDs enter the deep UV zone

Workers* at NTT Basic Research Laboratories have reported light emission at 210-nm wavelength from aluminum nitride (AlN) LEDs. They state that this is the shortest wavelength ever observed from any semiconductor, and confirms the long-held theoretical expectation that AlN could emit light in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) region (wavelengths from 200- to 300-nm).

Applications for the light emitted at wavelengths in the DUV can efficiently decompose persistent toxic substances such as dioxin and PCBs, which have caused serious environmental problems. Therefore, it reckons, these AlN LEDs promise to have a major environmental impact.

In addition, AlN semiconductor itself is harmless, unlike the mercury lamp. Replacing gas lasers with high-power AlN DUV lasers could lead to small, highly reliable, and highly efficient nanometer fabrication, they add.

The news announcement is based on a paper in Nature magazine, May 18 issue.

*Yoshitaka Taniyasu, Makoto Kasu, and Toshiki Makimoto, “An aluminium nitride light-emitting diode with a wavelength of 210 nanometres”, Nature (18 May, 2006).

For more details, visit: www.brl.ntt.co.jp