The journal "Fundamental Problems of Modern Materials Science" published an article by scientists from Khakass State University (KhSU) named after N. F. Katanov. It describes a new method for improving LED parameters.
An LED is a semiconductor device that converts electrical energy into light energy. KhSU researchers have found that adding silver nanoparticles with a special geometry can activate the effect of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in LEDs: this enhances electromagnetic radiation at the boundary between silver and a dielectric, which produces light with a greatly increased intensity.
By varying the size, shape, and internal structure of a plasmon particle, significant progress can be made both in improving existing LED options and in creating new ones. In order to determine the most advantageous geometry and structure, we used molecular dynamics methods.
Plasmon nanoparticles are obtained by destroying the crystal lattice of an ordinary particle with a diameter of less than two nanometers by heating it to melting, and then abruptly cooling it. The researchers note that this synthesis technique was developed and applied for the first time in the world.
The symmetry of particles affects the magnitude of scattering and absorption of a light wave. Highly symmetrical figures—cubes, octahedra, and so on, up to "nano-stars" with a large number of sharp "rays"—give the greatest effect. The maximum possible number of sharp corners of the figure provides a high drain of electrons, which gives an increase in luminosity.