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Indium is a central component of modern LED technology. The raw material is used in particular for fine-tuning the color of light and for generating blue, white, green and sometimes ultraviolet light.
Light-emitting diodes are based on semiconductor materials whose optical properties are largely determined by their chemical composition. The decisive factor here is the so-called band gap of the semiconductor: it determines the energy - and therefore the wavelength and color - of a photon when an electron passes from the conduction band to the valence band. This band gap can be precisely adjusted by varying the indium content in certain semiconductor compounds.
The most important indium-containing compound in the LED sector is indium gallium nitride (InGaN). It enables emissions from the violet to the blue and green spectral range. InGaN therefore forms the basis for blue LEDs and subsequently for white LED light. For this purpose, either a blue LED excites a phosphor phosphor; alternatively, red, green and blue LEDs are combined according to the RGB principle to produce white. Aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) is mainly used for red, orange and yellow LEDs.
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is one of the most important applications for indium. The material is primarily used as a conductive but transparent coating. It combines two properties that are crucial in electronics: electrical conductivity and high permeability to visible light.
ITO plays a central role in display technology: it forms transparent electrodes in LCD and OLED displays, which are used in flat screens. In touchscreens, such as those used in smartphones and tablets, these thin layers enable the precise recognition of touch. In both cases, electrical signals are transmitted without impairing the image display. In addition to displays, ITO is also used in smart glass - glazing that can change its light transmission electrically, for example for privacy or energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles. The transparent electrodes that enable switching are usually made of indium tin oxide.
Indium plays an important role in modern semiconductor technologies. The electrical conductivity of semiconductor compounds lies between that of conductors and insulators. They can be used specifically to control current, signals or light in electronic components. Indium enables optoelectronic applications such as LEDs and lasers in particular, but is also important for photovoltaics. For example, it is a key component in thin-film solar cells based on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), where it contributes to the efficient conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. In the form of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) or indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), the raw material is used to produce different colored LEDs for lighting systems, displays and signal technology.
Indium phosphide (InP) semiconductors are another important area. Their outstanding electrical and optical properties make them ideal for high-frequency and telecommunications technology. They are used, for example, in fast laser diodes and photodetectors for fiber optic networks as well as in microwave amplifiers and radar systems.
InP components are also used in LIDAR sensors. These are increasingly in demand for autonomous driving, robotics and environmental monitoring, among other things.
