UVC LED: A cutting-edge semiconductor chip technology
UVC LED is a semiconductor chip technology because it utilizes the properties of semiconductor materials to generate ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 100-280 nm (UVC). This technology is built on the same principles as other LED technologies, but it is specifically designed to produce germicidal ultraviolet light.
Here's a brief overview of how UVC LED operates as a semiconductor chip technology:
Material choice: UVC LEDs are made from semiconductor materials that have the ability to emit ultraviolet light in the desired wavelength range. Aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) is the most common choice for UVC LEDs due to its wide bandgap, which allows for the generation of high-energy photons in the UVC range.
Semiconductor layers: The UVC LED structure consists of several layers of AlGaN material, including an n-type layer, a p-type layer, and an active region in between. The active region typically includes multiple quantum wells, which are very thin layers of low-bandgap material that enhance the efficiency of light emission.
P-n junction: When an electrical current is applied to the UVC LED, the n-type and p-type layers form a p-n junction. Electrons from the n-type layer and holes from the p-type layer flow towards the junction, where they recombine to generate photons. The energy of the emitted photons corresponds to the bandgap of the active region, which is designed to produce UVC light.
Semiconductor chip: The UVC LED layers are grown on a substrate, such as sapphire, silicon carbide, or silicon. After the layers have been patterned and etched, metal contacts are added to facilitate electrical connections. The wafer is then diced into individual LED chips, which are mounted onto a package and connected to external electrical circuits.
UVC LED technology leverages the unique properties of semiconductor materials and the principles of semiconductor physics to create a compact, energy-efficient source of germicidal ultraviolet light. This technology is finding increasing applications in areas such as water treatment, air purification, and surface disinfection, where traditional mercury-based UVC lamps are being phased out due to environmental concerns and efficiency limitations.
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