TABLE OF CONTENTS As you might expect, the purpose of an introductory chapter is to acquaint readers with the general topic of the book they are reading. Although this chapter is similar to such chapters in other books, due to the need to understand the fundamental aspects of light that are presented in Chapter 2 to appreciate light-emitting diode (LED) design, we will defer an in-depth description of LEDs until Chapter 3. In the interim, in this chapter, we will describe how a basic LED operates, obtain an overview of the basic technology associated with LEDs, examine how LEDs can be used in series and parallel circuits, note the use of resistors with LEDs, and understand how to develop circuitry that operates LEDs. In effect, we will return to an expanded prefix in this book by concluding this chapter with an overview of actual and potential LED applications and the advantages and disadvantages associated with their use. That said, perhaps you want to take a moment to grab your favorite drink and a few munchies as we turn our attention to the wonderful world of LEDs.
The basic technology behind the development of the LED dates back to the 1960s when scientists were working with a chip of semiconductor material. That material was doped, or impregnated with impurities, to create a positive-negative or p-n junction.
Similar to a conventional diode, current will flow from the p-side of a semiconductor to its n-side, but not in the...
