December 10, 2007 – Carlsbad, CA-based light source technology manufacturer Goldeneye says it has developed an “epi-only” light-emitting diode (LED), using what it calls an “economical” thick epitaxial layer in a “novel” patent-pending fabrication process.

The company, which sells high-brightness RGB light sources for projection displays and bio-medical applications, initially developed its new EpiChip technology for its patent pending light recycling systems, but claims it found the technology is versatile and offers cost/performance benefits for other applications, including automotive, architecture, and general lighting.

“The EpiChip is the ultimate simplification in LED design in that it is simply all epi,” said Scott Zimmerman, Goldeneye VP of technology, in a statement. “It provides the lowest thermal resistance, highest extraction efficiency, lowest cost of manufacturing, and maximum flexibility in packaging.”

Both blue and green EpiChips up to 1 sq. mm in size have been produced, with typical output levels at 20ma exceeding 5mW at 520nm for 200×200 micron emitters. Devices from 350nm-585nm have been demonstrated the company says, and a number of die configurations, sizes, and colors (including amber and white) are in development.

New products utilizing the EpiChip are expected to be rolled out over the next year or so, according to the company.