Glossary:DED

A DED or Dark Emitting Diode is a theoretical device which absorbs photons in proportion to the current passing through it. A preliminary announcement was published on 1st Apr 2015 promising devices with a 10-fold increased performance by coupling a PN junction with an embedded quantum vacuum cavity, thus creating a highly efficient photonic extinction region. Despite the many potential applications ranging from the humble power-off indicator to active camouflage and countering light pollution, commercial products never seem to have seen the light of day (nor the dark of night). Research was largely diverted to improvements in PV cells when it was realised that these perform some of the same functions.