To get the same economics of the computer semiconductor
industry, the LED lighting world needs to start manufacturing on
the same equipment, says Bridgelux CEO Bill Watkins. The LED
light source maker said today that it demonstrated the
production of LED light chips on silicon, a transition that will
cut production costs by 75 percent and ultimately result in
cheaper, energy-efficient light fixtures. Bridgelux intends to
start making LEDs, which will be fitted into bulbs made by other
companies, with the process in two or three years. Light
fixtures with LEDs use semiconductors made by growing Gallium
nitride (GaN) on a substrate of sapphire or silicon carbide.
Using GaN on silicon, Bridgelux engineers have been able to get
the same light quality and comparable efficiency to today's
commercial products, the company said. Silicon Valley-based
Bridgelux is now making its LEDs on 2-inch and 4-inch wafers.
But the silicon process technology will allow it to get higher
yields by contracting with silicon chip maker