Zinc Oxide Breakthrough Creates High Performing LEDs

Written by Jerry James Stone

German scientists have discovered a method of hydrogen doping that allows the production of higher-performing LEDs and other semiconductors.

These days, LEDs are all the rage: GE dumps the incandescent bulb for LED development.

The scientists provided evidence that hydrogen disturbs the process of doping with zinc oxide (ZnO). But a controlled concentration of hydrogen atoms might be the key to making use of ZnO in semiconductor production.

Doping is necessary to activate semiconductors. It involves inserting foreign atoms into the crystal lattice of a solid. These foreign atoms either release an electron (n-doping), or absorb an electron, thus creating a “hole” in the solid (p-doping).

Scientists have really struggled with p-doping and hydrogen. hydrogen atoms always result in n-doping. And according to ScienceDaily, this disturbs the process greatly. Stupid hydrogen!

P-doping is necessary to create LEDs and transistors.

By the way, zinc oxide is everywhere – thousands of tons are produced all over the world every year! It is used in everything from food to sunscreen. Okay, that’s kinda gross.

Original here