Expansion of LED lighting and expectations for power semiconductors

摘要

After the revolutionary invention of the blue LED in the 1990s, LEDs have been rapidly proliferating as new energy-efficient light sources. White LEDs currently reach more than 300 lm/W experimentally. Since 18% of the total site electricity use in the U.S, replacing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes with LEDs has a potential to save 217 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity consumption for lighting in the U.S. The other advantages of LEDs are higher color quality and controllability. High color quality of lighting enhances visibility and readability. Controllability adds new functional capability of lighting. Considerable efforts are devoted to utilize them and the future of LED lighting is expected to have a great contribution to the general well-being of individuals and society by improving the quality of light.