LED (Light Emitting Diode) was not 'invented' by a single scientist at a specific moment, but rather evolved over more than half a century through a process of 'discovery-theory-application.' Its core principle is electroluminescence.
I. Key Milestone Timeline
| Time | Person/Institution | Key Breakthrough | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | Henry J. Round (UK) | First observed yellow light emitted from energized silicon carbide (SiC) | Observed electroluminescence phenomenon but did not pursue further development |
| 1920-1930s | Oleg Losev (Soviet Union) | Systematically studied and published papers, creating the first LED prototype | Theoretically confirmed LED feasibility, called the 'Father of LEDs' |
| 1950s | Bell Labs and others | Explained the light emission principle of PN junctions based on semiconductor physics | Laid the theoretical foundation for modern LEDs |
| 1962 | Nick Holonyak Jr. (GE) | Invented the first visible light (red) LED (GaAsP) | The birth year of modern LEDs, hailed as the 'Father of LEDs' |
| 1990s | Shuji Nakamura and others (Japan) | Breakthrough in blue LED technology (won the 2014 Nobel Prize) | Enabled white LEDs (blue light + phosphor), starting an illumination revolution |
Ⅱ. The Three Key Steps of Technological Evolution
- From “Discovery” to “Theory” (1907-1962) Early discoveries were merely accidental experimental phenomena. It wasn’t until semiconductor physics matured that scientists understood the principle: when electrons in a PN junction transition from a high energy level to a low energy level, they release energy in the form of photons (light). The material’s band gap determines the color of the light.
- The Birth of the Red LED (1962) Nick Holonyak of General Electric (GE) used gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) material to successfully create humanity’s first practical visible light (red) LED. The initial brightness was very low and was only used for instrument indicator lights.
- Blue Light Breakthrough and the White Light Revolution (1990s) This was the most crucial leap. Japanese scientists Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura conquered the high-brightness blue LED (gallium nitride-based) technology. With blue light, white light could be generated by exciting phosphors, thus fully opening the door to general lighting. They were awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for this achievement.
3. From “Indicator Lights” to “General Lighting”
The history of LED development is also a history of the evolution of efficiency (luminous efficacy) and color:
- 1960s-70s: Only low-brightness red, yellow, and green LEDs were available, used for calculators and radio indicator lights.
- 1980s-90s: High-brightness red, yellow, and green LEDs appeared, beginning to be used for outdoor large screens and traffic signals.
- 2000s to present: White LEDs became widespread, luminous efficacy surpassed fluorescent lamps, cost dropped drastically, and they were fully introduced into home, commercial, and industrial lighting, giving rise to new areas such as smart lighting and plant lighting.
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