INTRODUCTION TO
LIGHT-EMITTING
DIODES (LED)
B. Sc. (H) PHYSICS SEM IV
ANALOG SYSTEMS &
APPLICATIONS
Compiled By
ANITA VISHEN
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
HINDU COLLEGE
CIRCUIT SYMBOLS OF COMPONENTS
A few circuit element symbols: We are familiar with the circuit
components and their symbols.
Here are some of the components
that we shall be using
LLLL
IC 7400
LED
LEDs
Multimeter
LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED)
LED stands for "Light-Emitting Diode.“ The increasing
use of digital displays in calculators, watches, and all
forms of instrumentation has contributed to an extensive
interest in structures that emit light when properly
biased. An LED is an electronic device that emits light
when an electrical current passes through
it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with holes,
releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the
light (corresponding to the energy of the photons) is
determined by the energy required for electrons to cross
the band gap of the semiconductor. Appearing as
practical electronic components in 1962, the earliest
LEDs emitted low-intensity infrared (IR) light. Infrared
LEDs are used in remote-control circuits, such as those
used with a wide variety of consumer electronics. The
. first visible-light LEDs were of low intensity and limited
to red. Modern LEDs are available across
the visible, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared wavelengths.
➢ In Si and Ge diodes the greater percentage of the energy
converted during recombination at the junction is dissipated
LIGHT-EMITTING in the form of heat within the structure, and the emitted light
DIODE (LED) is insignificant. For this reason Si and Ge are not used in the
construction of LED devices. On the other hand diodes
constructed of GaAs emit light in the infrared (invisible) zone
during the recombination process at the p-n junction. Even
though the light is not visible, infrared LEDs have numerous
applications where visible light is not a desirable effect.
These include security systems, industrial processing,
optical coupling, safety controls such as on garage door
openers, and in home entertainment centers, where the infra
red light of the remote control is the controlling element.
Through other combinations of elements a coherent visible
light can be generated.
➢ Early LEDs produced only red light, but modern LEDs can
produce
. several different colors, including red, green, and
blue (RGB) light. Recent advances in LED technology have
made it possible for LEDs to produce white light obtained by
using multiple semiconductors or a layer of light-emitting
phosphor on the semiconductor device.
LEDs are commonly used for indicator lights (such as power on/off lights) on
electronic devices. They also have several other applications, including electronic
signs, clock displays, and flashlights. Since LEDs are energy efficient and have a
long lifespan (often more than 100,000 hours), they have begun to replace traditional
light bulbs in several areas. Some examples include streetlights, the red lights on
cars, and various types of decorative lighting.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF LED
The basic construction of LED appears in Fig.2 with
the standard symbol used for the device. The external
metallic conducting surface connected to the p-type
material is smaller to permit the emergence of the
maximum number of photons of light energy when the
device is forward biased. The working principle of the
Light emitting diode is based on the quantum theory.
The quantum theory says that when the electron
comes down from the higher energy level to the lower
energy level, the energy is emitted from the photon.
The photon energy is equal to the energy gap between
Fig.2 these two energy levels. If the p-n junction diode is in
the forward bias, then the current flows through the
diode.
TYPES OF LIGHT EMITTING DIODES
The wavelength and the frequency of light of a
specific colour are directly related to the energy
bandgap of the material. There are different types of
light emitting diodes present and some of them are
mentioned below.
➢ Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) – infra-red
➢ Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (GaAsP) – red to infra-
red, orange
➢ Aluminium Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (AlGaAsP)
– high-brightness red, orange-red, orange, and
yellow
➢ Gallium Phosphide (GaP) – red, yellow and green
➢ Aluminium Gallium Phosphide (AlGaP) – green
➢ Gallium Nitride (GaN) – green, emerald green
➢ Gallium Indium Nitride (GaInN) – near ultraviolet,
bluish-green and blue
➢ Silicon Carbide (SiC) – blue as a substrate
➢ Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) – blue
➢ Aluminium Gallium Nitride (AlGaN)– ultraviolet
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