At the Micro LED Forum 2023 organized by TrendForce on September 5th, various companies gathered to discuss emerging trends in the next-generation display market. According to TrendForce’s Senior Vice President of Research, Qiu Yubin, Micro LED is finding significant applications in the metaverse this year, but numerous challenges, such as semiconductor integration technologies, must still be overcome. Since AU Optronics (commonly known as “AUO”) announced the mass production of Micro LED watches, cost reduction has become a primary focus for many manufacturers.
Qiu highlighted that chip production is currently the most effective way to achieve cost savings. Companies are moving toward producing chips on larger wafers, such as 6-inch and 8-inch, to help reduce costs. In terms of mass transfers, while Stamp Transfer technology was popular two to three years ago, the industry is now favoring laser transfer for its efficiency. However, as Micro LED technology continues to evolve, balancing yield and efficiency will likely lead to a preference for a “hybrid transfer” approach, which combines stamp transfer with laser bonding.
For example, companies purchasing equipment may experiment by modifying their devices internally. Alternatively, equipment suppliers with extensive industry experience might develop innovative solutions, providing next-generation equipment to clients who are new to mass production. This approach could offer a more practical path toward scalable production.
Micro LED Development in Wearable Devices
When it comes to product development, the clearest direction for Micro LED is in wearable devices like watches. Qiu revealed that by 2026, the cost of the 2.12-inch Micro LED display for the Apple Watch could potentially decrease to $100. Currently, the cost for an OLED display is around $40-$50, suggesting that Micro LED could soon compete directly with OLED.
TrendForce projects that Apple’s adoption of Micro LED technology will encourage other brands to invest in the development and promotion of Micro LED wearable devices, with a compound annual growth rate expected to surge by 873% from 2022 to 2027. This year, the Micro LED chip market is valued at approximately $27 million. With ongoing market growth, this value is expected to reach $600 million, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 111% from 2022 to 2027.
Innovations in Mass Transfer and Repair Technologies
Dr. Xu Mingqi, Special Assistant at AU Optronics’ New Display Development Center, mentioned during his presentation at the forum that mass transfer for Micro LED, once considered a bottleneck, has significantly improved over the past two years. For inspection and repair, AUO has developed proprietary machinery and has already completed the developmental phase.
Porotech, known for its DPT (Dynamic Pixel Tuning) and PoroGaN technologies, has also made strides in this field. He Guanru, Head of Product and Market Development at Porotech, announced that they have begun mass production of 8-inch GaN wafers and are collaborating with Taiwanese manufacturers for contract production. Although they are capable of producing 12-inch GaN chips, they have chosen to wait for market feedback before proceeding further.
The Role of Laser Technology in Micro LED Production
Lin Maosong, General Manager of Coherent Technologies, a leader in laser technology, noted that inspection and repair time for Micro LED could exceed the actual manufacturing time. A 99.95% yield rate implies a substantial amount of repair work. Improving production yields and reducing costs are critical, and lasers offer an essential solution to boost both production speed and yield rates. Excimer lasers, known for their short wavelengths and high energy, are considered the best option for repairs and mass transfers, achieving yields of 99.99% and above.
Source: Tech News Report
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