Promising Candidates Revealed for Next-generation LED based Data Communications
University of Surrey and also the University of Cambridge has detailed how two relatively unexplored semiconducting materials satisfies the telecommunication industry’s hunger for large numbers of information at ever-greater speeds. Light-emitting diode (LED)-based communications techniques allow computing devices, including cell phones, to communicate with each other by using infrared light. However, LED techniques are underused because in the current state LED transmits data at far slower speeds than other wireless technologies for example light-fidelity (Li-Fi).
In a paper authored by Nature Electronics, they from Surrey and Cambridge, along with partners from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, examine how organic semiconductors, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and metal halide perovskites (perovskites), may be used in LED-based optical communications systems.
The research team explored efforts to improve the performance and efficiency of these LEDs, plus they considered their potential applications in on-chip interconnects and Li-Fi.
Dr. Aobo Ren, the co-first author and visiting postdoctoral researcher in the University of Surrey, says that “there’s excitement surrounding CQDs and perovskites because they offer great promise for low-power, cost-effective and scalable communications modules.”
“Although the conventional inorganic thin-film technology is prone to still play a dominant role in optical communications, we believe that LEDs according to these materials can enjoy a complementary role that could have a sizeable impact on the.”
Hao Wang, the co-first author and Ph.D. student in the University of Cambridge, states that “future applying LEDs won't be restricted to the fields of lighting and displays. The development of LEDs according to these solution-processable materials for optical communication purposes only has begun, and their performance continues to be far from what’s required. It's important and timely to discuss the potential strategies and offer technical challenges for that deployment of real-world communication links with such LEDs from the material, tool and system aspects.”
Professor Jiang Wu, the related author from the University of Electronic Science of China, states that “photonic devices for the Internet of Things (IoT) and 6G communication systems need to be high-speed, low-cost and simple to integrate. Organic semiconductors, CQDs and perovskites are promising materials that could be accustomed to complement and/or compete with conventional inorganic counterparts in particular optoelectronic applications.”
Dr. Wei Zhang, the related author and Senior Lecturer from the University of Surrey, says that “IoT and 6G communication systems represent a trillion-dollar market in the next couple of years. We're proud to collaborate with the top research teams in this subject and accelerate the development of emerging data communication technology for rapid entry to the marketplace in the next decade.”