LED means (L)ight (E)mitting (D)iode

The light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lights in many devices and are increasingly being used for lighting. They became established as a practical electronic component in 1962. Initially, LEDs emitted low-intensity red light, but modern versions are available across the entire visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelength spectrum, with very high brightness. When a light-emitting diode is operating, electrons are able to recombine with holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence, and the color of the light (which corresponds to the photon energy) is determined by the semiconductor’s energy band gap. LEDs offer many advantages over other incandescent light sources, including lower energy consumption, longer lifespan, improved durability, and greater reliability.