Just like the "Moore's Law" in processors, LED output(lumens) and efficiency(lumens/watt) have doubled every 18-24 months.
| Left: Lightwave 4000- 10x Nichia 5.6cd
flashlight Right: Single LumiLed Luxeon Star White LED Current Output: 18 lumens (equivilant to 19 Nichia LEDs) Current Efficiency: 17 lumens/watt Expected Output: 50-100 lumens (end of 2002) Expected Efficiency: 25 lumens/watt |
The latest generation of LEDs such as the LumiLeds Luxeon are high-current/high-flux devices. High flux units will allow LEDs to be used in many more lighting applications without having to resort to costly LED arrays. A single LED will also provide light from a point-source, which can be a critical factor for certain applications that require dynamic focusing. The future of LEDs for lighting is very bright indeed. Thanks for reading!
