Lecture
This lecture delves into the historical evolution of lighting technologies, emphasizing the transition to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for efficient visible light emission. It covers the challenges faced in achieving high efficiency, such as Auger recombination and alloy disorder, and the quest for 100%+ efficiency through thermal pumping of carriers. The instructor, Claude Weisbuch, discusses the physics behind semiconductors, band structures, and the operation of LEDs. The lecture also explores the impact of quantum wells, heterostructures, and the search for optimal semiconductors for LED production.