Monolithic MicroLED Integration – Technology and Challenges

The MicroLED Industry Association published today a new white paper, that is focused on monolithic microLED integration.

A major challenge in producing MicroLED displays is the transfer stage, also known as Pick and Place. This production step is responsible for transferring individual LEDs from the original wafer to the final display. In some cases, it is possible to (more or less) skip this stage and transfer the LEDs directly to the final display through a process called monolithic microLED integration.

This document will focus on such a process, discuss various options for its execution and examine the types of displays and applications it is suitable for. The white paper is published on the MicroLED Association's website, and is open to the public.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 25,2023

Kulicke & Soffa to extend its collaboration with TSMT to enhance its micro-LED placement solutions

Kulicke and Soffa (K&S) announced that it is extending its long-term collaboration with surface mounting technology expert TSMT, to further enhance K&S' mini-LED and micro-LED placement solutions and get it ready for mass-volume adoption.

Kulicke & Soffa Luminex system photo

K&S offers its LUMINEX laser-based transfer solution, and the company now updates that it is working, together with TSMT, to enhance the yield from 99.99% to 99.999%. 

Read the full story Posted: Aug 09,2023

LG Display acquires 14 microLED patents from Ultra Display Technology

According to The Elec, LG Display acquired 14 microLED related patents from Taiwan-based Ultra Display Technology. The patents mostly detail microLED transfer technology, but some are also related to microLED microdisplays. 

LG Display is stepping up its microLED projects. It has reportedly signed a deal to supply microLED backplanes to Apple, and has recently demonstrated 12" stretchable microLED displays. UDT's technology is focused on stamp-based microLED transfer. LG is also looking into fluidic processes for microLED transfer

Read the full story Posted: Aug 04,2023

Researchers from Seoul National University, together with LG, use a 20 years old fluidic process to efficiently self-assemble microLEDs

Researchers from Seoul National University, in collaboration with LG Electronics, developed a new transfer process for microLED displays, based on a fluidic process.

The new process, called Fluidic Self‑Assembly (FSA), starts with a collection of microLEDs (chiplets) dispersed in an assembly solution, and a display substrate in which the binding targets are coated with molten solder. The substrate is immersed in the fluid, and then the fluid is set in motion (is shaken), which causes the microLED chiplets to make repeated contact with a binding targets. When a microLED chiplet meets the binding target, surface tension induces an irreversible bond between the solder and a metal electrode on the chiplet.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 28,2023

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde develop a continuous roller microLED transfer-printing process

Researchers from the UK-based University of Strathclyde, led by Dr. Eleni Margariti, developed a new microLED transfer process, based on a continuous, single shot roller transfer printing process.

The researchers say that this process can enable large-scale integration of microLEDs. The system they developed can transfer an array of 320x240 pixels (over 75,000 microLEDs) in a single shot, with sub-micron relative position accuracy. The transfer printing process preserves the array geometry with pixel spatial location error less than 1 µm deviation from the as-designed layout. 

The researchers also employed an automated sub-micron precision metrology system based on simple optical microscopy, to asses such large device populations and allow the assessment of yield.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 15,2023

Researchers from MIT developed a bottom-up technique to form perovskite microLEDs

Researchers at MIT have developed a bottom-up approach for precise and scalable formation of perovskite nanocrystal arrays with deterministic control over size, number, and position. This new technology enables the deposition of halide perovskite nanocrystals with precise control over the location and size of each individual crystal, integrating them into nanoscale light-emitting diodes.

Researchers grow precise arrays of nanoLEDs image

The researchers demonstrated deterministic arrays of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals with tunable dimensions down to <50 nm and positional accuracy <50 nm.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 08,2023

A spotlight on 3D Micromac: a MicroLED Industry Association member

We're happy to interview 3D Micromac, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. Germany-based 3D-Micromac is the industry leader in laser micromachining and roll-to-roll laser systems. The company offers laser equipment for µLED forward transfer, lift-off and repair process steps - ready for high volume production.

Hello, can you introduce your company and technology?

Frank Richter (Head of Sales at 3D Micromac): 3D-Micromac has established itself as a leader in laser micromachining and a pioneer of new production technologies for various industries for the last 20 years. This especially applies to the excimer and ultra-short pulse laser technology.

We have extensive experience applying innovative laser technology to new and emerging applications to support their volume-production requirements. For MicroLED production, ultra-high precision in combination with the highest reliability and stability is needed. These are core competencies of 3D-Micromac.

Our product portfolio includes several laser-based system solutions for various manufacturing steps in the MicroLED production process. All systems offer integrated process control and monitoring to assure stable and reliable operation, thus enabling high throughput and low yield losses. 

Read the full story Posted: Jul 03,2023

A new version of our MicroLED Transfer Process Market Report released

We are happy to announce a new edition of our MicroLED Transfer Process Market Report, with all the latest information, new technologies and companies, and more. MicroLEDs are advancing quickly and the transfer process remains one of the key challenges.

The MicroLED Transfer Market Report cover

Reading this report, you'll learn all about:

  • All known microLED transfer processes
  • The current industry and market status
  • Advantages and disadvantages of transfer technologies
  • Future technologies and roadmaps

The report package also provides:

  • An introduction to microLED production processes
  • Over 25 presentations, brochures and technical papers
  • MicroLED chip-level market estimates and forecasts
  • Free updates for a year

This microLED display transfer process report provides a comprehensive look into current and future LED transfer technologies processes used for the production of microLED displays. The report covers everything you need to know about the current status of the industry.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 29,2023

A new report by Nikkei Asia details Apple's microLED production plans

Apple's microLED projects and goals have been reported and rumored many times in the past, and now the respected Nikkei Asia newspaper posted an interesting article with new details of Apple's microLED plans. Some parts of this plan were already published by other reporters, note.

Apple Watch Series 8 photo

According to the new report, Apple is aiming to get more involved in display manufacturing, to increase its control over its supply chain, and reduce its reliance on Samsung Display specifically. Apple has decided, therefore, to handle the LED transfer (pick-and-place) process by itself, at its R&D facilities in Longtan, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 

Read the full story Posted: May 19,2023

VueReal reports a major breakthrough in its microLED production technology

MicroLED developer VueReal says that it achieved a breakthrough in its MicroSolid Printing Platform, enabling it to go below 7um LED pitch (on the wafer) for full color microLED deposition. The company reports that its newest (and smallest) microLEDs show minimal impact on EQE, and this enables high-efficiency display production.

VueReal says that its new technology could soon compete on price with OLED displays while offering higher performance, and could be viable for many display segments - from wearables through smartphones to automotive and more. According to its current tests, its microLED displays will offer a brightness of 3,000 nits (and higher), while consuming around half the power compared to the latest AMOLED displays. In addition, its printing process is highly scalable and should not have a problem handling the demands of even the smartphone industry with hundreds of millions of displays per year.

Read the full story Posted: Apr 25,2023