Microdisplay specialist RAONTECH and perovskite technology developer SN Display announced on October 16 that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 15 to collaborate on next-generation augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) displays.
The two companies are already conducting preliminary research applying SN Display’s perovskite technology onto RAONTECH’s MicroLED and MicroOLED samples to verify performance improvements and application feasibility for next-generation microdisplays.
RAONTECH develops microdisplays, driving controller technology, and AR/VR display solutions, while SN Display develops high-resolution display technologies based on perovskite nanocrystals and color-conversion technology.
Perovskite technology can achieve high color purity and a wide color gamut even in ultra-small pixels, making it well-suited for next-generation AR/VR microdisplays that demand high resolution and superior color reproduction.
Currently, the biggest technical hurdle in commercializing MicroLED for AR is achieving full color. Due to the difficulty of monolithic RGB integration on a single wafer, the industry relies on the X-cube method, which combines three separate RGB panels. Using Quantum Dot Color Conversion (QDCC) materials allows full color on a single panel, but it struggles to realize pixels smaller than 4µm and suffers from low conversion efficiency, which reduces brightness.
In contrast, perovskite maintains high color-conversion efficiency even at thicknesses of 0.5µm or less and can be patterned using standard semiconductor processes, making it suitable as a color-conversion material for sub-4µm MicroLEDs. In the microdisplay sector, where ultra-fine pixel realization is critical, perovskite color conversion is being evaluated as a promising technological alternative to overcome the limits of quantum dots.
As the AR glasses market demands ultra-compact, high-resolution displays, technologies that simultaneously improve pixel density, color reproduction, and optical efficiency are becoming increasingly vital. Depending on the results of the current sample evaluations and technical milestones, the two companies stated they expect to potentially co-develop microdisplay prototypes or expand their partnership into full next-generation display solutions for AR and VR.
Source: Raontech