A research team from Zhejiang University’s College of Optical Science and Engineering and Haining International Campus has successfully developed micro- and nano-scale perovskite LEDs (micro-PeLEDs and nano-PeLEDs) reaching a new size limit of 90 nanometers, with minimal efficiency loss in the downsizing process. According to the paper, the team achieved perovskite LED pixels from hundreds of micrometers down to 90 nm—extending well below conventional LED size limits.
PeLEDs are an emerging class of light sources that can be used in displays, lighting, and communications. They offer high color purity and a wide color gamut. However, reducing LED pixel sizes usually involves efficiency losses. In contrast, the Zhejiang University team reports near-infrared (NIR) and green perovskite LEDs maintaining around 20% external quantum efficiency even as pixel dimensions shrink from 650 µm to 3.5 µm.
“Miniaturizing perovskite LEDs cannot rely on the same techniques as MicroLEDs. Furthermore, conventional photolithography can damage perovskite materials,”
Professor David Di
To overcome these challenges, the researchers devised a localized contact process that keeps the perovskite layer away from electrode edges.
“We designed a localized contact process that introduces photolithography-patterned windows into an additional insulating layer, ensuring that the pixel area is kept away from the electrode edges.”
Doctoral student Lian Yaxiao
Notably, the smallest pixel achieved in their study measures about 90 nm, enabling an ultra-high pixel density of 127,000 pixels per inch (PPI), the highest among all reported LED arrays:
“The nano-PeLEDs we demonstrated can be as small as 90 nanometers, which is the smallest LED pixel reported to date.”
Researcher Baodan Zhao
The team collaborated with Hangzhou Lingzhi Technology to integrate the perovskite LED arrays into an active-matrix micro-display prototype powered by thin-film transistor (TFT) backplanes, demonstrating complex images and videos. These results signal a potential pathway toward next-generation displays and wearable devices—where extreme pixel densities are crucial for achieving high-resolution visuals with reduced power consumption.
Reference
Lian, Y., Wang, Y., Yuan, Y. et al. Downscaling micro- and nano-perovskite LEDs. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08685-w
