Semiconductor (often a combination of gallium, arsenic and phosphorous or gallium and nitrogen)
containing an
n region (where electrons are more numerous than positive charges) separated from a
p region (where positive charges are more numerous than negative charges). Upon application
of a voltage, charges move and emission of
ultraviolet,
visible or
infrared radiation is produced each time a
charge recombination takes place. Although a
LED emits incoherent monochromatic light, normally a very narrow
frequency range is obtained.
Notes:
-
This effect is a form of electroluminescence.
-
The colour depends on the semi-conducting material used, and can be ultraviolet, visible or infrared.
-
Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) contain diodes made of small molecules or made of polymeric materials. The latter are sometimes called PLEDs.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 293
(Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006))
on page 364
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
