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Goldeneye Inc of Carlsbad, CA, USA has developed a freestanding ‘epi-only’ LED that will power the firm’s future high-brightness light sources for general lighting and other applications.

Using a patent-pending fabrication process, the firm claims it has simplified manufacturing while enhancing device performance. “The ‘EpiChip’ is the ultimate simplification in LED design, in that it is simply all epi”, says VP of Technology Scott Zimmerman. “It provides the lowest thermal resistance, highest extraction efficiency, lowest cost of manufacturing, and maximum flexibility in packaging,” he claims.

The new device marks the introduction of several innovations, including the use of an economical, proprietary thick epitaxial layer. Combined with the elimination of the need for expensive wafer-bonded submounts and other process steps, this enables the production of a versatile high-power LED at a fraction of the cost of existing devices, the firm reckons.

A wide range of die configurations, sizes and colors (including amber and white) are being developed. Goldeneye has produced blue and green EpiChip LEDs up to 1 mm2. In particular, for 200µm x 200µm emitters, typical output power at a driving current of 20mA exceeds 5mW at 520nm. Devices emitting at wavelengths of 350-585nm have been demonstrated. The firm expects to have select products ready for commercial introduction by third-quarter 2008.

The EpiChip technology platform was developed initially for use in Goldeneye’s patented light recycling systems. However, the firm now has multiple patents pending covering other applications, including automotive, architectural, and general lighting.

“We have spent the last several years putting a wide range of technologies together, both from an IP and process standpoint”, says CEO Bill Livesay. Over the next 12-18 months, the firm aims to roll out a series of EpiChip-based products for the solid-state lighting and display industries, he adds.

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