Quantum Particulars Guest Column: “An Inside Look on How Quantum Computing Is Revolutionizing OLED Displays”
“Quantum Particulars” is an editorial guest column featuring exclusive insights and interviews with quantum researchers, developers, and experts who examine key challenges and processes in this field. This article, discussing how quantum computing is improving OLED displays, was written by Scott Genin, the Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics.
Consumer technology continues to evolve and innovate as consumers quickly move on to the next greatest thing year after year. One of the booming industries pioneering innovation is the display sector, specifically OLED displays. Smart watches, smartphones, TVs and monitors are expanding and improving for the benefit of consumers with clarity, transparency and more. But what role does quantum computing play in the development of OLED, or organic light-emitting diode displays?
A Brief Overview of Quantum Advantages
Quantum computing algorithms, methods and software simulate material properties with high accuracy on both quantum hardware and classical computing infrastructures. Quantum simulations combined with machine learning replace most physical experiments as it results in higher accuracy results in less time. Because of this, scientists are developing advanced materials to progress innovation in OLED displays.
What are OLEDs?
OLED is the emissive electroluminescent layer in a film of organic compound that emits light in response to an electric current. OTI Lumionics utilizes quantum simulations and machine learning to look at the different material combinations and produce faster material simulations resulting in more accurate predictions of how the material will perform in an electronic device and does so at a lower cost in-house which is more appealing for manufacturers. This led to the development of the CPM, Cathode Patterning Material, which is being used in the mass production of next-generation smartphone displays. With the qualification, its implementation allows the notch and punch hole to be removed on a smartphone, or any display in theory, creating more valuable real estate on the screen. It can also be utilized to create larger OLED displays and transparent displays.
One of the biggest hurdles in working with OLED displays and manufacturers is simply the time it takes to create change. The market is always working a few years in the future. The research and development, quality testing and mass market certifications for these upgrades take years to achieve. However, with the help of quantum computing, scientists can streamline the process to stay ahead of the curve and supplement consumer technology with advancements.
How Quantum is Helping OLED
Quantum simulations are helping the OLED display industry evolve, leading to advancements in biometric technology, under-display cameras, and more. With the breakthrough of generative AI, it is essential hackers are unable to impersonate someone’s identity to gain access to accounts or use deep fakes for malicious intents. Quantum computing is allowing scientists to progress on biometric sensors, ensuring the enhanced validation of users. This also includes the sensors on smartphones, similar to the full adoption to get into someone’s iPhone.
The quantum-made CPM, creates better IR transmissions and more accurate facial maps by opening up tons of micron-scale windows that allow more light to emit through the screen. Smartphone sensors project patterns of structured light on the users’ face to develop a map of the person. Putting the structure light projector and Infra-Red Camera behind the display would reduce the Infra-Red signal for facial recognition. Specifically, OLED display electrodes absorb the Infra-Red structured light signal, the attenuated signal creates a bigger challenge of developing an accurate facial recognition map. The attenuated signal can reduce the sensitivity and accuracy of the biometric sensors. However, with the new quantum-made advancements, it boosts the signal when on the structure light projector and Infra-Red camera is deployed underneath the display.
So, what is the true advantage of quantum computing enabling sensors for under-display cameras? By doing this, consumers are no longer limited by how much screen real estate these cameras will displace, as they will be seamlessly hidden under the display. This allows future consumers to have more than one front-facing camera under the display, which provides wide-ranging camera lenses on the main camera to be available in the front-facing camera as well. This is all working to revolutionize and continue to innovate consumer products.
Quantum computing improves research and development, supply-chain optimization, and production – which is exactly what it’s doing for the consumer technology industry, more specifically, the OLED display industry. With the ability to streamline advancements, endless opportunities are opened for consumers when it comes to technology.
Scott Genin is the Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics. He has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto
