The Future of TV is in the Dot

The entertainment industry has consistently increased screen resolution to deliver clearer and clearer images; from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) and more recently Ultra High Definition (UHD). Nano-sized quantum dots might just hold the key to the next cycle of evolution for television.  A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, meaning that these particles are smaller than 1/10,000 of a single strand of human hair. These dots eliminate the need for white LED backlights that can incorrectly represent color. The photo-active property of the quantum dots makes them very efficient in absorbing and then in emitting light. This property has allowed Samsung engineers to increase peak brightness of the new SUHD TVs to 1,000 nits and higher, opposed to the previous 400 nits for conventional TVs.

The light each quantum dot emits is a specific color (or wavelength) depending on the size of its core. The color of light each quantum dot gives off is also very stable and pure. Quantum dots can show precise colors while the light from conventional materials ends up getting mixed with adjacent colors. As a result, the three primary colors can be more clearly distinguished in comparison to conventional TVs, which help the quantum dot display show a wide range of colors more accurately. Samsung’s 2016 SUHD TVs with Quantum Dot technology are able to show up to one billion colors – 64 times more color than the average TV.

Samsung’s quantum dots are indium-based and completely cadmium-free. Previously developed quantum dot solutions included cadmium sulfide (CdS) or selenide (CdSe), these are harmful to the environment as toxic Cd2+ ions may be released through nanoparticle degradation. Samsung also applies a quad-layer coat to its quantum dots to ensure that the quantum dot display is durable and kept stable over years of time, and retains its picture quality year after year.

Samsung started focusing on quantum dot technology in 2001, and has since registered over 150 patents on the subject. Dr. Alexander L. Efros of the US Naval Research Laboratory, considered to be one of the world’s foremost quantum dot scholars, notes that research on the technology has moved forward very quickly. He adds that improved diagnostic medical devices and inexpensive solar cells, as well as better tunable LEDs, lasers and displays are just a few notable examples of the progress scientists have already made on this front.