As the desire for sustainable development leads designers to develop increasingly energy-efficient structures, lighting is expected to soon become the largest consumer of electricity in many buildings, accounting for 25 or more of total costs. And that’s putting the spotlight on the need for more-efficient lighting.

CEA-Leti has been working in the emerging field of LED lighting since 2006. Its research and development programs initially were limited to the “upstream” end of the industrial supply chain, focusing mainly on new semiconductor materials such as gallium nitride or zinc oxide, and unconventional chip technologies such as nanowire-based LEDs. Since then, a variety of new “downstream” projects have been launched to deal with the key issues of thermal management, light extraction and wavelength conversion.

Beyond the component level, more sophisticated technologies are being developed to integrate smart lighting concepts for indoor, outdoor and automotive uses. Program goals include the development of “presence” sensors that detect users’ position or activity, as well as new-generation lighting systems that can communicate with or between buildings to increase energy efficiency and users’ comfort.

Comprehensive R&D programs

CEA-Leti’s lighting initiative offers our global industrial partners a comprehensive selection of state-of-the-art research and development across all levels of the value chain. We start by paying close attention to the problems faced by lighting companies, and then identifying the fundamental problems that limit the development and dissemination of lighting technologies. Next, we develop possible solutions by tapping into the technology portfolio and expertise available within the CEA, and adapting these resources to market constraints.

Some of Leti’s unique capabilities and areas of relevant expertise include:

• Full cleanroom facilities and equipment for manufacturing LED and OLED devices;
• Laboratories for physical LED characterization;
• Laboratories for photoelectric characterization of LEDs, OLEDs or lighting devices;
• High-power device packaging capabilities, including thermal control and simulation;
• Reliability testing expertise.

CEA-Leti works closely with a wide array of companies and research organizations across the lighting industry. In 2008, for example, we became a member of “Cluster Lumière,” an association of French companies and research organizations dedicated to the promotion and development of LEDs and other new lighting technologies. And last year, we helped to launch several additional joint research efforts.