Silicon Nanocrystals

[NewBie]

Silicon nanocrystals produced and capped in the sub-10nm regime are efficient light emitters in the visible range due to quantum confinement effects. The specific color of emission is dictated by the size of the particle. An ordered distribution of colors produces white. This characteristic, coupled with nanocrystalline silicon’s inherent stability and efficiency, makes these materials appropriate for use as phosphors with blue or near-UV high brightness light emitting diodes (HB-LEDs) in producing efficient white light for the general illumination market– a large and compelling market opportunity.

Silicon holds great promise in this application. First, silicon is capable of high efficiencies. Researchers have shown efficiencies approaching 90% from photo-excited silicon nanoparticles prior to any attempt to optimize emission.

They go on to talk about long life and more:
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/rd/EnhancedOpticalEfficiency.html

 

[IsaacHayes]

Hmm. So this would replace yellow phosphur and directly emit white light when excited by low wavelengths... Definalty more robust, and probably better tint control since you'd coat it with enough crystals that no blue light gets through...