Nanosys Invention Would Use QDs to Boost Light Output of MicroLED Devices

Quantum-dot materials and technology supplier Nanosys devised a method for using QDs to boost the light output of microLED devices, said a patent application (20180287025) published Thursday at the Patent and Trademark Office. The application, which was filed March 26, describes an “illumination device” fashioned from a multilayer “beam splitter” positioned between a flexible microLED “substrate” and QD film. QDs “have the unique ability to emit light at a single spectral peak with narrow line width, creating highly saturated colors,” it says. “However, QDs emit light isotropically (i.e., in all directions), and as such, much of the emitted light is not directed towards the front of the display device to be viewed. This limits the light output of the device and its overall efficiency.” The illumination device described in the application can help “overcome” those limitations, “and specifically limitations that may arise when using quantum dots in display devices based on microLED technology,” it said. Nanosys didn’t comment on commercial implications.