Directional Control Techniques for Micro-LED Light Emission
8 patents in this list
Updated:
Micro-LED displays face significant challenges in controlling light emission direction, with typical devices showing beam divergence angles of 120° or more. This wide-angle emission reduces efficiency in applications like AR displays where precise light control is critical, and creates cross-talk between adjacent pixels that impacts color accuracy and image quality.
The fundamental challenge lies in achieving highly directional emission while maintaining the quantum efficiency and brightness that make micro-LEDs attractive for displays.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including parabolic mesa structures with optimized aspect ratios, photonic crystal waveguides, integrated micro-optical components, and novel chip architectures with precision-aligned vertical emissions. These and other approaches focus on practical fabrication methods that can be scaled to high-volume production while meeting the demanding requirements of next-generation displays.
1. Circular Arc MicroLED Arrangement with Centralized Beam Convergence for Consistent Emission Angle
Xiamen Extremely PQ Display Technology Co., Ltd., 2023
MicroLED pixel configuration and display panel design to avoid dispersion and color inconsistency problems in small angle microLED displays. Multiple microLEDs of different colors are arranged on a circular arc with a common center point. The microLEDs emit light towards an optical component that collects and emits the light at a preset angle. The microLEDs are positioned so their light beams coincide after rotating around the center point. This ensures the emitted light from all microLEDs enters and exits the optical component at the same angle, preventing dispersion and color variation when using optical components to narrow the viewing angle.
2. Micro-LED Structure with Integrated Optical Lenses and Reflective Cups
Lextar Electronics Corporation, 2022
Micro-LED structure for augmented reality and virtual reality displays that have improved light patterns. The micro-LED structure includes micro-LED chips with optical structures like lenses and reflective cups over each chip. The optical structures shape and direct the light emitted from the micro-LEDs for better performance in AR/VR displays.
3. Semiconductor-Based Waveguides with Divergence-Reducing Design for Micro-LEDs
Facebook Technologies, LLC, 2022
Semiconductor-based waveguides are used as secondary optics for micro-LEDs to decrease beam divergence and collimate light for better control and efficiency. The waveguides are designed to decrease the divergence of the emitted light for applications like displays that require collimated light.
4. Truncated Near-Parabolic Mesa Micro-LED with Offset Light-Emitting Source and Polished Primary Emission Surface
Facebook Technologies, LLC, 2020
Micro-LEDs are designed to improve the collimation of emitted light while maintaining satisfactory extraction efficiency. The design involves using a truncated near-parabolic mesa with a low aspect ratio, an offset light-emitting source, and a polished primary emission surface. This allows the internal reflection of angled rays to enhance collimation.
5. Parabolic Mesa Micro-LEDs with Polished Reflective Surface
Facebook Technologies, LLC, 2019
Micro-LEDs with improved collimation of light output on the microscale. The micro-LEDs have a parabolic mesa structure with a low aspect ratio and a polished reflective surface. The parabolic shape and polished surface allow the collimation of light emitted from the LED to be improved compared to conventional LEDs.
6. Micro-LED with Photonic Crystal Columns in Transparent Semiconductor Layer
Facebook Technologies, LLC, 2019
A micro-LED design with photonic crystal columns extending through the transparent semiconductor layer enhances the directionality of emitted light. The photonic crystal columns inhibit light propagation in certain directions and act as waveguides to reduce light divergence. This improves extraction efficiency and reduces absorption and overheating in the micro-LED.
7. Micro-LED Structure with Low Aspect Ratio Parabolic Mesa and Offset Light Emitting Source
Oculus VR, LLC, 2019
Micro-LED devices are designed to improve light output collimation without sacrificing significant extraction efficiency. The micro-LED structure includes a low aspect ratio parabolic mesa, offset light emitting source, and polished emission surface to reflect and collimate internal rays.
8. Micro-LED Devices with Near Parabolic Mesa Structure and Offset Light Emitting Source
Oculus VR, LLC, 2018
Micro-LED (μLED) devices with improved collimation of light output. The μLEDs have a near parabolic mesa structure with a low aspect ratio, a polished primary emission surface, and an offset light emitting source. These features allow parasitic rays to be reflected back into the device, improving collimation. The offset source and polished surface enhance this effect.
In the area of micro-LED direction control, research and development are still ongoing. Because of its potential benefits, innovation is advancing. Lighting and display design will likely find new uses as technology develops and is employed more widely.
