LEDs challenge the incandescents

Past, present, and future developments in the field of light-emitting diode (LED) chips are discussed. It is argued that the performance of AlGaAs has enabled LEDs to penetrate markets requiring high flux and/or low power consumption and that AlInGaP technology, which yields high performance from red-orange to green, will accelerate the use of LEDs in new applications. Emerging blue devices and recent ZnSe developments which suggest that blue performance comparable to AlGaAs and AlInGaP may be possible are described. The development of an adequate blue device would permit the fabrication of full-color, large-area, sunlight-viewable, flat-panel displays.<>