The organic light-emitting diode on silicon (OLEDoS) is a cutting-edge technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about lighting and displays. By combining the benefits of both organic and inorganic materials, OLEDoS promises to provide high-performance, flexible, and energy-efficient lighting and display solutions.
What is OLEDoS?
OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) is a display panel that satisfies the 3000 ppi–4000 ppi resolution requirements for AR/VR device displays and typically has a diagonal length of less than 1 inch. The Low-Temperature-Poly-Silicon (LTPS) or Oxide TFT-based OLED displays now employ glass substrates. However, CMOS substrates based on silicon wafers are used in OLEDoS. It is possible to imitate the ultra-fine circuit architectures commonly employed in semiconductor processes on silicon substrates, which when organic matter is put on them results in the development of ultra-high-resolution OLEDs.
In the market, OLEDoS is also known as Micro OLED and has advantages over OLED such as higher efficiency, higher luminance, infinite contrast, quick reaction, and longer LED life. The user views the enlarged image through the optical lens rather than the panel directly because it is smaller than 1 inch in size. It displays great resolution in a compact, lightweight wearable device when combined with AR/VR technology.
In its second-generation AR/VR product, which is anticipated to hit the market around 2025, Apple is also probably going to use OLEDoS. This in turn, is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the OLEDoS market and grow to a valuation of USD 39.1 Bn by the year 2030 at a CAGR of 12.8%, according to the researchers at Extrapolate. Furthermore, given that Meta is likely to include OLEDoS in its Meta Quest 3 device, which is anticipated to go on sale in 2023, it is predicted that augmented reality that satisfies the aforementioned technical requirements will be implemented.
A Journey into the Future of Technology (AR and VR) With OLEDoS
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) were first introduced quite some time ago. Star Wars, The Matrix, and Total Recall are just a few of the movies that have utilized virtual reality (VR) since the 1990s. In 1992, Armstrong's Research Lab in the US Air Force used augmented reality (AR) for the first time to examine Virtual Fixtures. Since then, AR technology has been created and used for a variety of projects in games, movies, and daily life.
It is not difficult to comprehend AR technology if you are familiar with Nintendo's "Pokemon Go" game, which gained popularity in 2017. No matter how much research and development is done in a lab, if the technology is not usable by the user, it will never advance beyond academic journals. Since the release of Pokemon Go, augmented reality technology has attracted a tonne of attention. Since then, a number of initiatives have been made, including those by Tommy Hilfiger and IKEA to incorporate augmented reality into marketing, as well as Epson's smart glasses for museum curation.
Understanding display technology is crucial to comprehend the popularization of AR technology with its diverse applications and practical benefits. As you may guess from the word "reality," the AR display ought to give consumers a level of detail that equals or exceeds reality. To retain its system image, it must include and be functional for features such as entertainment or information transfer.
For AR displays to achieve a level of an alternate reality comparable to people who can perceive movement through real space with their two eyes, certain technical requirements must be accomplished. The display mainly comprises pixels that emit color. In particular, the AR display needs to have pixels that are too small for human vision to detect them. So that the human eye cannot follow, the image reproduction speed should be at least 120 Hz.
Several research organizations and businesses have developed various technologies for augmented reality displays. Due to the limits of a thin film transistor (TFT), which result from utilizing a lower substrate as glass, a liquid crystal-based microdisplay with a reasonably simple pixel structure and a high brightness is challenging to implement at a high resolution.
Theoretically, micro-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be driven in a variety of ways and at minimal power. Next-generation displays, including those for wearable, virtual reality, and AR, are being developed by Apple, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics. The need to guarantee uniformity of electrical-optical features, enhance the luminous efficiency of red LEDs, and secure micro-transfer technology for displays, however, makes it difficult to commercialize micro-LEDs quickly.
There is no need for a separate light source with organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which have found considerable success in small and medium-sized screens. With a number of benefits, including its quick response time and thin and light manufacturing capacity, the OLED-based microdisplay is considered to be a promising candidate for AR. In order to deploy high-resolution microdisplays, silicon wafers have replaced glass substrates in recent years.
Meet the Upcoming Powerhouse Supplier of AR/VR Displays with OLEDoS
Apple's first headset is anticipated to use two OLEDoS panels, with Sony serving as the initial manufacturer. The general OLEDs used in the external indicators will be provided by LG Display. Yet, in the long run, LG Display is predicted to be Apple's preferred OLEDoS vendor over Sony. Sony has its own gaming console, making it a possible competitor to Apple in the XR market, where having a standout application is essential even though Sony's technology is currently quite advanced.
Whenever Apple joins the XR market, it is anticipated that it will expand quickly, and Samsung Display is expected to instantly catch up to LG, its longtime competitor. We will be able to watch the tough competition between SDC and LGD in the XR market once more.
Final Thoughts on OLEDoS
OLED displays are an excellent technology that offers many benefits, but they are not without their challenges. OLEDoS is a significant concern for OLED manufacturers, but they are working hard to mitigate its effects and ensure that OLED displays continue to provide an exceptional viewing experience. As a consumer, it's essential to be aware of the potential for OLEDoS and choose devices that offer effective solutions to this issue. With continued innovation, OLED displays can maintain their status as leading display technology for years to come.
