Micro-LED AR/VR displays are illuminated by Saphlux using nanoporous quantum dots.

August 24, 2023

Saphlux claims that its new display prototype offers the best red micro-LED engine in the market thanks to updated quantum dot technology.

The company hopes to advance AR/VR technology beyond what is now possible with micro-organic LEDs and liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) alternatives with this 0.39″ full-color micro-LED display.

With Micro-LEDs, Saphlux outperforms mainstream displays:

The company’s T1-0.39 NPQD RGB light engine, which enables microLEDs with pixel pitches of less than two microns, powers Saphlux’s revolutionary NPQD-based display.

In tests, the display attained a photon conversion efficiency of 67% and a maximum white brightness of 250,000 nits. The iPhone 14’s display, in comparison, has a 6.7″ screen and reaches a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits. Because of this, Saphlux’s technology is substantially brighter and more effective than commercially available rivals—and the display occupies a lot less space.

Nanoporous Quantum Dots: What Are They?

By putting the material in an acidic solution and using a precise bias voltage to drive an electrochemical etching process, the company creates these pores. With their high quantum yield, size-dependent emission wavelength, and small emission linewidth, quantum dots exhibit special optical characteristics. They interact with the material in a way that dramatically improves their light conversion efficiency when encapsulated within GaN nanopores.

Nanoporous GaN with embedded QDs can reach light-conversion efficiency over 80%, even with a film thickness of just 5 m, in comparison to conventional quantum dot films.

Targeting AR/VR Headset Displays is Saphlux

Numerous manufacturers of AR/VR eyewear are creating models for non-gaming applications, such as use outdoors. These creators have historically struggled to make AR/VR screens bright enough for outdoor use, particularly in the red spectrum. The Saphlux display may pave the way for a truly outdoor-compatible display that can function in any lighting scenario thanks to its extraordinarily high brightness of 250,000 nits.

The display from Saphlux boasts a 67% quantum efficiency, which has significant effects on temperature management and energy efficiency for AR/VR. The NQPD display can increase battery life and runtime for these devices, waste less energy on heat, and remain cooler and more comfortable for users by converting more power straight to useful light.

Finally, NPQD technology offers extraordinarily high-resolution displays thanks to the narrow pixel pitch of less than two microns. These displays enable AR/VR glasses to present users with pictures that are more colorful and detailed.

A Basic Component of Micro-LED Technology?

According to Saphlux, its NPQD architecture transforms more blue photons into red, outperforming AlInGaP-based red micro-LED efficiency. Additionally, the architecture exhibits less thermal deterioration as a result of temperature. Saphlux referred to NPQD as a “building block micro-LED technology” because of these characteristics, which will increase the potential of high dynamic range (HDR).

The company is providing samples and data upon request even though the technology is still in the prototype stage.

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