Emerging Markets

The Quality Issue

GaN technology has thus far largely failed to penetrate much higher-end applications due to insufficient material quality. A stack of DVDs Many potential applications would benefit tremendously from (or simply be enabled by) the existence of higher quality GaN than has been achieved commercially so far. Next generation Blu-Ray DVD devices depend on blue laser technology requiring very high-quality GaN. Quality issues have prevented lower prices for Blu-Ray players and recorders so far. Many lighting applications require not only higher efficiency but also higher total light output than can be achieved economically with current GaN LEDs.

The Future Looks Bright

High-performance GaN HB-LEDs can be used to produce brighter, more vivid images on LCD and DLP projection displays than are possible with conventional fluorescent lamp technology. An LED headlight Automobile makers are starting to replace halogen headlamps with more efficient and extremely durable GaN-based white HB-LEDs. But these applications pale in magnitude to the exciting long-term vision for GaN technology: a revolution in general lighting, when highly energy efficient, durable, and non-toxic LEDs replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs in household and commercial room illumination.