Q-Pixel, a startup, has devised its own fundamental polychromatic RGB microLED technology to substitute the century-old monochromatic LED, and address various fundamental issues with the decade-old microLED display technology.
This Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Company has engineered what is referred to as the “highest resolution, active-matrix color display” globally, cramming an impressive 6800 pixels per inch (PPI). While the majority of advanced VR displays utilize micro-organic LEDs (micro-OLEDs), Q-Pixel’s displays are composed entirely of III-V compound microLED pixels created from inorganic materials, which the company states were cultivated “across a single compound semiconductor wafer, without any utilization of sub-pixels, quantum dots, color filters, polarizers, or mechanical stacking.”
These III-V compound microLED pixels provide heightened brightness, quicker response times, and enhanced energy efficiency, rendering them suitable for the forthcoming generation of headsets such as Apple Vision Pro. To put things into perspective, Apple’s current generation display “only” provides 3380 PPI.
Exceeding OLEDs
“By presenting the world’s highest resolution (6800 PPI) active-matrix color display, Q-Pixel has achieved two significant milestones,” stated company co-founder and CEO J. C. Chen.
“Initially, we have demonstrated that producing ultra high-resolution, active displays based on microLED technology is achievable. Additionally, Q-Pixel has proven that our TP-LED pixel technology surpasses more established display technologies like OLEDs to achieve world-record breaking pixel densities. With these latest accomplishments, Q-Pixel has positioned the company as a pioneer in the microLED sector and will commence the commercialization of stunning displays.”
The primary obstacle in commercializing microLED displays has been the intricate and costly process of assembling and examining millions of individual red, green, and blue (RGB) microLED subpixels. Q-Pixel’s strategy addresses this obstacle by substituting the three RGB subpixels with individual, entirely color-tunable pixels.
The technology was showcased in Compound Semiconductor magazine where Q-Pixel’s CTO Michelle Chen mentioned, “A lack of innovations in displays is noticeable with major industry players and startups rushing towards new technological solutions. The whole display industry is now on the verge of a significant paradigm shift, with microLED displays expected to play a crucial role in eventually surpassing technologies founded on organic LEDs and LCDs. It is not so much a matter of if, but when the industry will adopt microLED technology.”
