Exciting Discovery of a Vibrant Deep Blue Light Source

A research team led by Rutgers University, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, has developed a new type of light-emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting deep blue light at a wavelength of approximately 450 nanometers. This innovation, detailed in a recent Nature publication, utilizes a hybrid material made of copper iodide and organic molecules, addressing common challenges posed by existing blue LEDs such as toxicity, cost, and efficiency. The new LEDs boast a remarkable photoluminescence quantum yield of 99.6% and a high external quantum efficiency of 12.6%, making them not only bright and longer-lasting, but also suitable for large-scale applications. Researchers utilized advanced techniques at Brookhaven’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials to enhance understanding and performance of these materials, marking a potential advancement in LED technology and energy-efficient lighting.