Key Takeaways
- Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have revolutionized the lighting and display technology world.
- Lasers are remarkable devices that have found application in various fields, from science and medicine to telecommunication and manufacturing.
- LEDs work based on electroluminescence, where electrons and holes recombine in semiconductors. At the same time, lasers operate on stimulated emission ie photons are generated through the stimulation of already excited atoms, resulting in highly coherent and focused light.
What is LED?
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) have revolutionized the lighting and display technology world. These solid-state semiconductor devices emit light when an electric current passes through them. LEDs are used in various applications, from indicator lights on electronic devices to lighting up entire buildings.
The working principle of an LED is based on electroluminescence. When a voltage is applied across the semiconductor material in an LED, electrons and holes recombine, releasing energy as photons. The colour of the emitted light depends on the materials used in the LED.
One of the most significant advantages of LEDs is their energy efficiency. They consume very little power compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights, making them an environmentally friendly lighting option.
Moreover, LEDs are very versatile. They can be dimmed, creating dynamic lighting environments and easily integrated into various electronic systems.
What is a Laser?
Lasers, short for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, are remarkable devices that have found applications in various fields, from science and medicine to telecommunication and manufacturing. A laser emits highly focused, coherent, and monochromatic light by amplifying light waves.
One of the most notable characteristics of lasers is their high intensity and directionality. The focused, collimated laser light beam can travel long distances without significant divergence. This unique property makes lasers invaluable in applications like optical communication, where they transmit data through optical fibres.
Lasers are used extensively in medical journeys, including eye surgery, tissue cutting, and tattoo removal. Beyond industrial and medical uses, lasers have scientific significance as well. The development of new laser technologies continues to open up innovative applications.
Difference Between LED and Laser
- LEDs work based on electroluminescence, where electrons and holes recombine in semiconductors. At the same time, lasers operate on stimulated emission, and photons are generated by stimulating already excited atoms, resulting in highly coherent and focused light.
- LEDs emit incoherent, multi-directional light, which is not highly focused and can have varying wavelengths. At the same time, lasers produce coherent, monochromatic, and highly directional light with a single wavelength, which makes them suitable for precise applications.
- LEDs are known for their high energy efficiency and consume minimal power of the light they produce. At the same time, lasers can be energy-intensive and require more power due to their high-intensity output.
- LEDs find use in various applications, including lighting, displays and indicators, while lasers are commonly used in optical communication, material processing, medical procedures and scientific research.
- LEDs are cost-effective and widely available, making them accessible for various consumer and industrial applications. In contrast, lasers are exceptionally high-quality and robust, making them expensive due to the precision required in their construction and alignment.
Comparison Between LED and Laser
| Parameters | LED | Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Emission Process | Based on electroluminescence | Operate on stimulated emission |
| Light Characteristics | emit incoherent, multi-directional light | Coherent, monochromatic, and highly-directional light |
| Energy efficiency | High energy-efficiency | Energy-intensive |
| Applications | A wide range of applications like lighting, displays and indicators | Commonly used in optical communication, material processing, medical procedures and scientific research |
| Cost | Cost-effective and widely available | They are expensive due to the precision required in their construction and alignment. |
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/islsm/19/2/19_2_72/_article/-char/ja/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lpor.201300110
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