Advances in solid-state light sources (LEDs) which will significantly affect the performance and design of light intensive applications such as, rear-projection televisions (RPTV), automotive headlamps, and commercial lighting were recently announced by Philips Lumileds Lighting Company. Philips Lumileds, a high-volume manufacturer of power LEDs, announced on June 28 that it has established new luminance performance records for solid-state lighting technology at 1 Amp. Among the achievements announced was a white luminance 50% greater than an automotive halogen bulb.

Until the 1990’s, when scientists at Meijo University and Nichia Chemical Industries in Japan produced blue light by using thin films of gallium nitride, LEDs were limited to longer wavelengths (infrared through red to green). LEDs are smaller, sturdier, and more energy-efficient than incandescent lamps and are already used in traffic stoplights, brake lights, and large animated signs.

Sandia Laboratories have believed that a new solid-state white light source could decrease worldwide lighting energy consumption by 50% and total electricity consumption by more than 10%. The United States, Department of Energy (DOE) believes strongly enough in solid-state lighting (SSL) that on June 6 it announced that it is providing a total of US$7 million for five cost-shared projects.

LEDs have begun to replace incandescent bulbs in applications which suit their natural advantages including; durability, compactness, low heat production, and strong directionality. Philips Lumileds breakthroughs may help deliver the predicted significant worldwide energy consumption reductions.

LED Rear Projection Televisions

LED Rear Projection Televisions (RPTV) were generally reported to be a much talked-about consumer technologies at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The light output gains reported by Philips Lumileds promises a boost for the brightness levels available from current technology LED rear projection sets.

To find out more about current LED rear projection televisions read Presentation Technology Reviews article New Generation of DLP Rear Projection TVs. It discusses how two large manufacturers, Mitsubishi and Samsung, are moving to create a new generation of rear projection televisions which use a solid state light source. The new technologies promise; elimination (or greatly reduced) rainbow effects, deeper blacks, greater efficiency, increased lamp life and quicker start up times.

Click here for the full news release from Philips Lumileds Lighting Company.