The Usage of LED's or Light Emitting Diodes and EL or Electro Luminescent in the Theater - Coursework Example

LED and EL’s Application in the Theater Introduction There are different technologies that can be considered as essentialin the present period in terms of the application and utilization. One of the most fundamental technologies in the area of lighting and optical engineering is the LED and the EL which can be considered to find important applications in the present society. The said applications can be considered as the fundamental reason for the essentiality of the new technology in the contemporary period. The research that had been conducted focuses on the particular application of the LED and EL which is performance theatre in the field of arts and entertainment. The objectives of the study had been achieved through the presentation and development of the concept of LED based on its history, main composition and technological aspect through its application in the said field. Based on the main objectives of the study, an understanding of the characteristics and utilization of LED and EL can be considered through the progress of the study. The LED and EL Technology The contemporary era can be considered as the period of technological prowess in almost every field. In the area of optics and optical engineering, development and enhancement through continuous research had paved the way for one of the most essential technological discovery in terms of application not only in the industrial but in almost every field. The said technology is generally referred to as the LED which specifically means semi-conducting light-emitting diodes. In relation LED is applied on the basis of EL or the electroluminescent characteristic. LED, Light Emitting Diodes The LED, light emitting diode can be described as a semi-conducting diode that is used in different application on the basis of its capacity to emit light energy. It is an electronic device that has the capability to utilize the electricity flow to trigger the emanation of light. The said action can be undertaken through the control of the movement of electrical energy which causes the lighting mechanism (Zheludev 189). The LED technology had found its application to the different field in the modern era due to its advantages over other technology in optics on the basis of the fact that it is safer for utilization of a light energy emitting material. This can be attributed to the fact that the principle of electroluminescence is used, thus the light instead of heat through electromagnetic radiation is produced (Schubert 1). The LED system is composed of parts that are considered essential in the achievement of the functions. The fundamental parts are the LED chip or the main component since it has the light emitting capabilities; the reflector; the flat side and the charged wires with the positive and the negative terminals (Wyckoff). In addition, it has terminals (positive and negative side) which are used in connecting circuit. The positive terminal had longer wire while the negative terminal is located on the flat side of the bulb and connects to the negative terminal of the energy source e.g. battery (van de Biggelaar, Ton et al 136) (Source: Wyckoff). Figure 1. Parts of LED. EL, Electroluminescence The concept of electroluminescence, which is applied in the LED technology, can be considered as one of the most important concept in the lighting technology. This can be attributed to the fact that it had revolutionized the field of optics from incandescence which uses heat and electromagnetic radiation to be able to give off light. On the other hand, EL enables the emission of mostly visible light as what can be observed in LEDs. Thus, a wide variety of LED can be found in the market today including infrared, visible-spectrum, ultraviolet, and white LEDs made from III-V semiconductors. The process of electroluminescence in LED is the main action of the semi-conductor chip with the capability to produce light energy through the manipulation of charges in its surfaces. The said part is composed 2 regions of different charges, positive and a negative region separated by a junction to prevent mixing of electrical charges (Saini 225). Source: (Saini 225; Wyckoff). Figure 2. Parts of a LED semi-conducting chip: the positive (p) and negative (n) regions. Source: (van de Biggelaar). Figure 3. Alternative version showing the parts of LED display. The importance of the mechanism of light emission in LED will lead to the understanding of the process of electroluminescence. Basically EL can be considered as an answer to the need for sustainable lighting materials that has lower cost and yet more efficient (van de Biggelaar 138). The main mechanism of LED is presented in the diagram (Figure 4) where the different layers of the diode can be seen and the behavior of the charges can be observed. In the figure, the different layers can be observed wherein the cathode triggers the process and activates the system. The electric current then flows due to the differences in the charges. The emissive layer then produces light as the reaction to the anode layer of the charges that are flowing continues. The emitting polymer then both serves as the source of the light than can be seen and the separator of the charges to be able to produce light and to continue the complete flow of current through the system (van de Biggelaar 138). Source: (Antoniadis). Figure 4. Mechanism of light emission. Application of LED Upon the determination of the main mechanism and the technical characteristics of the LED, the application of the said technology is the main focus of the study, specifically then application in the field of entertainment and Performance Theater. Lighting in Performance Theater Due to the fact that lighting can be considered as one of the fundamental components in Performance Theater, the development of the said technology is skillfully observed and studied by the lighting experts. Lighting can be considered important on the basis of the fact that it can contribute to the atmosphere and the mood of the stage. Such issues are needed to be given attention by the stage managers since live performances are undertaken, a condition wherein mistakes cannot be considered acceptable (Hainaux 13, 22). Thus attention to every detail in lighting and application of modern technologies and efficiency and quality in lighting products to be used are carefully undertaken. History of LED Application The LED had been discovered for almost a century by Oleg Losev but was failed to be launched into its full potential (Zheludev 189). The onset of the contemporary period then that mainly focused on sustainable technology with higher efficiency had given light to LED which is already present unknowingly by most people on simple technologies around. In relation to the field of live and performance theater attention have been already drawn towards the LED technology. Although tungsten lights can be considered to dominate the theaters, the doors for new technologies had been continuously open. LED can be considered as luminaries, the basis sources of lights in theater performances (Fitt 1). Characteristics of LED Advantageous in Performance Theaters The main characteristics of LED are considered applicable for Performance Theater resulting to Light Emitting Diodes being considered to have important roles in the performance theater. One of the said roles is on the basis of the capability to emit a wider range of colors of the visible light spectrum. This is also important in the prevention of UV and infrared production which is a unique characteristic of advantage since most of the luminaries commonly works on incandescence or can also produce UV and other forms of radiation upon operation. In addition, its basic capabilities such as emission of light energy instead of electromagnetic radiation are also of importance (Fitt 1). The output is approximately 100 lumens/W can be considered more applicable in the theater. The said emission can be classified on the lighting types in theaters as most efficient for the role of lighting technology and luminaries (Fitt 1-2). Basically, the application of LED is still limited but the performance theaters specifically the more technologically advanced theaters have already applied the said technology which they consider as more efficient and at the same time more advantageous due to cost efficiency and energy efficiency. Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, the importance of LED technology had been presented. Its potentials are also known although needed to be explored in the Performance Theater. Continuous development of LED and EL technology can be considered to be of continuous advantage in the future of optics and optical engineering and in application to other fields are important. Although the potentials of the LED can be considered advantageous, it is important to continuously develop and apply the system to be able to maximize its potentials specifically in the theater since the application of the technology is still in the process of development. Reference Committee on Optical Science and Engineering and National Research Council. Harnessing Light; Optical Science and Engineering for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998. Fitt, Brian. Lighting Technology: A Guide for Television, Film and Theatre. Thornley, 2001. Hainaux, René. Stage Design Throughout the World Since 1950. International Theatre Institute, 1964. Schubert, E. Fred. Light-emitting Diodes. Cambridge University, 2006. van de Biggelaar, Ton et al. “Passive and active matrix addressed polymer light-emitting diode displays.” Flat Panel Display Technology and Display Metrology II. Ed. Edward F. Kelley and Apostolos T. Voutsas, 30 April 2001. 134-146. Wyckoff, Susan. Experiments by Exploration. 22 Feb 1999. Arizona State University. 01 October 2007 Zheludev, Nikolay. “The life and times of the LED – a 100-year history.” Nature Photonics 1.4 (2007): 189-192. Read More