In this blog post, we will take a look at how LED and OLED technologies are driving the innovation of slim displays and how they will evolve in the future.
LED and OLED light the way at the forefront of display technology
As the importance of physical appearance is increasingly being emphasized, the craze for dieting and being in shape is growing. Now, the craze for dieting is not only affecting people but also the devices around us. Display devices that make up a large part of our daily lives, such as TVs, monitors, laptops, mobile phones, and tablet PCs, are also becoming slimmer, and they are developing in a way that meets consumers’ expectations for design, portability, and improved performance. What are the technological factors that have made it possible to slim down these devices? At the heart of this are LED and OLED technologies. Both technologies have become the core of modern display technology and have gained so much attention that they have been nicknamed the “light revolution” and “TVs from the sun.”
History of displays: from fluorescent lamps to LEDs and OLEDs
The initial light source used in display devices has evolved from electron beams and incandescent lamps to fluorescent lamps (CCFL). Do you remember CRT TVs? These TVs operated on the principle that an electron beam emitted from an electron gun strikes a fluorescent material, causing light to emit from the screen. They were quite large and heavy. Since then, display technology has developed rapidly, and fluorescent lamps have been used in various devices such as TVs, monitors, mobile phones, and laptops. In the case of LCD displays, the light from fluorescent lamps passes through several polarizing films and liquid crystals to form the screen. In this way, the light expresses a specific color through the opening and closing of the liquid crystal, and the screen we see appears.
LED innovation: The beginning of slim displays
LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode,” which means a diode that emits light by itself. This technology has replaced the existing LCD technology and has contributed to dramatically reducing the thickness of display devices. LEDs work on the principle that light is emitted when electric current flows through a semiconductor material called gallium nitride (GaN). While existing LCDs had to pass through multiple polarizing films to emit light, LEDs can emit and control light on their own, making it possible to create thinner and more efficient displays.
Another great advantage of LEDs is their energy efficiency. Compared to conventional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, they have less energy loss and can reduce electricity consumption by up to 80%. As a result, they also save a lot on electricity bills. They can also adjust light quickly, which is why they are used in 3D TVs, which have recently become popular, and provide clear picture quality even during the day.
OLED, lighting up the future of displays
OLEDs are similar to LEDs in terms of their basic operating principles, but they differ in that they use organic materials to emit light. Organic materials are attracting attention because they can express a wider range of colors than LEDs and enable the creation of very thin and flexible displays. In the future, display devices that can be rolled up and carried around like paper may appear, and OLEDs are called “next-generation displays” because of their flexibility and color expression.
The future display we imagine will be even more amazing. For example, the days of using wallpaper-type displays that use the entire wall as a screen or folding screens that can be carried around are not far off. The technological advancements of OLED are making such a future possible.
Challenges and prospects of technological advancement
Of course, LED and OLED are in the spotlight as next-generation display technologies, but there are still challenges to be overcome. In particular, the complexity of the manufacturing process and high raw material prices are hindering the popularization of the technology. However, technological improvements and research and development are ongoing, and it is likely that these issues will be resolved over time. In particular, major Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are making intensive investments in the LED and OLED sectors, making it very likely that Korea will become a leader in the display industry.
In the future, LED and OLED technologies will have a significant impact on the general lighting market beyond the display market. It is expected that the emotional and active lighting market will open beyond simple lighting, and through this, we will have a richer visual experience.
