Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for the creation of blue LEDs – 3DNews

The Nobel Prize needs no introduction as it is one of the most prestigious awards for scientific achievement in the world. Perhaps even the most prestigious. Originally it included a total of five nominations, one of which was physics. This nomination should perhaps be called the most severe – so severe and receive close the selection of candidates. But the strict division between “practical” and “theoretical” achievements in the Nobel Prize in Physics is not: if the prize was awarded in 2013 for a theoretical basis and experimental confirmation of the existence of the Higgs boson, the 2014 winners were the inventors of high-performance blue LEDs.

From an oil lamp to LED

The award was presented to three Japanese scientists: Isamu Akasaki (Isamu Akasaki), Hiroshi Amano (Hiroshi Amano) and Shuji Nakamura (Shuji Nakamura). At first glance, a modest achievement, especially against such a sensational Higgs boson. But do not make hasty conclusions: semiconductor luminescence phenomenon was first recorded in the early 20th century, but it took almost 100 years to bring this technology to perfection. Moreover, it is possible to work the aforementioned trio to realize the idea of ​​high-performance semiconductor light source, because the powerful white LEDs are basically crystals that produce it in blue (less UV) range, and the white color of light is achieved by using special phosphors.

Example of modern diode assembly 100 watts, 9000 lumens, 7 dollars

If before any practical use boson Higgs still far away, and who knows what it could be, that the labors of the winners of 2014 are already using all of humanity, and the technology continues to improve. Already an efficiency of 300 lumens per watt, which is three times higher than the best indicator of 2005, and probably it is not the limit. Yes, and the application of high-power white LEDs will only multiply, as of today, it is the most efficient and economical light source with good color rendering. As noted by the Nobel Committee, “the light of the present invention is noticeable in every window in Stockholm.” And it is not far off when it comes to all the cities of our planet.

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