Quantum Dots

The picture on the left is from a backlight unit using quantum dots, while the one on the right is from a regular backlight unit. Notice the difference in color quality.
The picture on the left is from a backlight unit using quantum dots, while the one on the right is from a regular backlight unit. Notice the difference in color quality.

 

Samsung is reportedly planning to unveil its secret weapon, the V1 Bomb, a high-definition TV called Quantum-dot LED TV (QLED TV) at the 2014 International CES, the world’s biggest electronics show in Las Vegas in January.

According to an industry source on January 3, Samsung Electronics is considering showcasing the Quantum-dot display of QLED TV in the upcoming 2014 International CES.  QLED TV is a TV that is designed to use self-luminous quantum dots in nanoscale crystals of semiconductor chips that enable the display of colors without any more parts. The model that is expected to be introduced is a type of QLED that uses Quantum Dot Enhancement Film (QDEF) technology instead of a traditional backlighting unit.  In that sense it is by definition not a true QLED, but its viability as a commercial product is immense, since manufacturing a large screen display using QLED technology is much easier then using an existing Organic Light-Emitting Diode, or OLED.

In 2011, Samsung succeeded in developing the world’s first full-color display using quantum dots.  LG Electronics followed suit by forming a Memorandum of Understanding with US nanotechnology company QD Vision to build its own QLED TV. In the first half of last year, 3M and Nanosis introduced a prototype of QDEF targeted at LCD manufacturers.
   
Japanese manufacturers such as Sony and Panasonic have suspended competition with Samsung and LG’s OLED products, and have reportedly been concentrating their efforts on developing QLED technology to be used in UHD TV.  Taiwan’s LCD manufacturer AU Optronics is also said to be working on its own color-enhanced QLED using QDEF.

A source close to the electronics manufacturing industry said, “3M, the primary developer of QDEF, is right now supplying 85-inch QDEF products to LCD makers.”  As of 3Q and 4Q of 2012, there were several manufacturers in the 85-inch LCD TV market, of which Samsung owned a 72 percent share.  Considering Samsung’s lofty position, it is highly likely that it will introduce a prototype product at the 2014 CES.

On whether or not Samsung will unveil its QLED TV at 2014 CES, another source said, “CES is not necessarily an exhibit for finished products.  Rather, it is a platform for manufacturers to showcase their latest technologies.  Thus it is possible and likely that we will see Samsung’s QLED at the show.”

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