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209

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[–] • 21 pts

because they are diodes that emit light?

[–] • 7 pts

A common misconception. Emitting diodes were actually first invented in the 1800s as a method for wireless signal transmission, but they could only emit in the radio range and were far too weak to produce useable signals beyond a few feet. The “light” term actually refers to the type of metal used in the diode’s construction — more specifically the lack of lead and mercury found in . Some more recent diode technologies have even allowed for the metal components to be supplanted completely, using organic materials like carbon and hydrogen.

[–] • 3 pts

Absolutely. Brilliant reply!

[–] • 2 pts

Duh! I have a friend that asks me questions like this.

[–] • 2 pts

How do you find hats to fit that big brain head?

[–] • 4 pts

A diode is a device that typically allows current to pass in one direction only. The die, or semiconductor portion of an LED is doped in such a way that it will emit photons when current is passed through it in a forward direction, but does nothing when current is applied in the opposite direction.

GaN, GaP, and GaAsP are normal materials that modern LEDS are made out of, although things like Silicon Carbide were used for the old green and yellow LEDS of the past. These were so inefficient that they were quickly replaced by other technolgies. LEDs didn't really get bright enough to do anything other than be a weak indicator until the 80s when brighter LEDs showed up on the market for a reasonable price, regardless of what people think were in their car instrument panels or electronics at the time.

LEDs were discoveredaround 1907, as Silicon Carbide crystals will emit very weak light when a current is applied. These were so inefficient and random that it wasn't until the 60s that LEDs as we know them became a thing. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._J._Round )

TL;DR, A LED is a diode (one-way device) that emits light when powered, therefore an LED.

[–] • 2 pts

Because those diodes emit light.

[–] • 1 pt

A better question is whats a diode, and what lazy mother fucker came up with that name?

[–] • 1 pt

This applies to all semiconductors: they are essentially quantum devices.

[–] • 1 pt

From extrapolation of the generic 'electrode' and there being only two in this device, the anode and cathode, and the common practice at the time of referring to vacuum tubes by the number of active electrical elements they contained -- e.g., triode, pentode, etc...

[–] • 1 pt

The proper term is LED light. /s

[–] • 1 pt

And did you know that

[–] • 1 pt

Because they weigh very little. The HEDs made portable electronics very cumbersome.