Mid-infrared (mid-IR) LED, also known as mid-IR light-emitting diode, is a type of semiconductor device that emits mid-infrared light. Mid-IR LEDs have a broad range of applications in various industries, including medical, industrial, military, and environmental protection. This article will introduce the mid-IR LED industry, its technology, market status, and future development prospects.

Introduction to Mid-IR LED Technology

Mid-IR LED technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and its core lies in the semiconductor material and structure design. The mid-IR spectrum ranges from 2.5 to 5.0 micrometers, and the mid-IR LED can emit light in this range. The key materials used in mid-IR LED are InAs, InSb, and HgCdTe, which have strong mid-IR emission properties. The structure of mid-IR LED usually includes a p-n junction, an optical cavity, and a reflector.

Working Principle of Mid-IR LED

The working principle of mid-IR LED is similar to that of visible light LED. When the forward bias voltage is applied to the p-n junction, electrons and holes are injected into the active layer. Due to the recombination of electrons and holes, mid-IR photons are emitted. The optical cavity structure can enhance the light extraction efficiency of the LED, while the reflector can improve the internal reflection efficiency of the LED.

Applications of Mid-IR LED

Mid-IR LED has a wide range of applications in various fields. The following are some typical applications:

1. Thermal imaging: Mid-IR LED can be used in thermal imaging cameras, which can detect the temperature distribution of objects and be widely used in security monitoring, fire prevention, and search and rescue operations.

2. Gas sensing: Mid-IR LED can be used as a gas sensor to detect the presence of harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. This application is of great significance in the field of environmental protection and public safety.

3. Non-contact measurement: Mid-IR LED can be used for non-contact temperature measurement, distance measurement, and material thickness measurement. This application is widely used in industrial production, medical treatment, and scientific research.

4. Communication: Mid-IR LED can be used in free-space optical communication systems, which can achieve high-speed, long-distance, and secure data transmission. This application is of great significance in the field of military communication and space communication.

Market Status of Mid-IR LED Industry

The mid-IR LED industry has developed rapidly in recent years, and the global market size has been expanding. According to the market research report, the global mid-IR LED market size reached several billion US dollars in 2020, and it is expected to maintain a double-digit growth rate in the next few years. In terms of market competition, there are many well-known companies in the mid-IR LED industry, such as Microchip Technology, FLIR Systems, and Lumentum. These companies have a wealth of experience in the mid-IR LED field and have made significant contributions to the development of the industry.

Future Development Prospects of Mid-IR LED Industry

The future development of the mid-IR LED industry will focus on the following aspects:

1. Material innovation: The development of new materials with better mid-IR emission properties will further improve the performance of mid-IR LED.

2. Device structure optimization: The optimization of device structure can improve the light extraction efficiency and internal reflection efficiency of mid-IR LED.

3. Application expansion: Mid-IR LED will be widely used in more fields, such as biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and smart city construction.

4. Cost reduction: With the continuous improvement of technology and scale production, the cost of mid-IR LED will gradually decrease, which will promote the popularization and application of mid-IR LED. In conclusion, mid-IR LED technology has a broad application prospect in various fields, and the market demand is growing rapidly. With the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of applications, the mid-IR LED industry will usher in a new round of development.