The review highlights advances in infrared light-emitting diodes for optical communication, suggesting enhanced capabilities through new materials and modulation techniques.
As a core light source for optical communication systems, infrared light-emitting diodes (IR-LEDs) demonstrate significant advantages in visible light communication (VLC), free-space optical communication (FSO), optical wireless communication, and infrared remote control, owing to their low power consumption, electromagnetic interference immunity, and invisibility to the human eye. This article systematically reviews the working principles of IR-LEDs and their performance in optical communication systems, with a focus on recent research advances in structural optimization (e.g., reflective transparent structures, vertical LEDs, micro-LED arrays), novel materials (e.g., quantum dots, III-V semiconductors), and advanced modulation techniques (e.g., OFDM, WDM, polarization/mode multiplexing). Studies reveal that micro-LED arrays enhance modulation bandwidth, quantum dot materials achieve >20% external quantum efficiency (EQE), and heterogeneous integration of III-V materials with silicon photonics substantially overcomes the bandwidth and efficiency limitations of conventional IR-LEDs. Future multi-technology collaborative innovations will further drive the evolution of IR-LEDs for high-speed, high-capacity optical communication.
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Minglie Hu (2025) studied this question.
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