A '''Light emitting diode''' (LED) is a type of [[semiconductor]] (a [[diode]]) that emits [[light]] when an [[electric current]] is passed through it. It is made with many different specialized semiconductor materials so it can give off light when current flows forward through it. Depending on the different types of chemical elements used in making the diode, different colors of light can be produced. Unlike simple semiconductors which usually contain [[silicon]] and [[germanium]], the complex semiconductors required to generate light contain more unusual compounds. Although composition varies, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide and indium phosphide are commonly used in LEDs.<ref>http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/data/semicond/leds-light-emitting-diodes/technology-tutorial.php</ref> | A '''Light emitting diode''' (LED) is a type of [[semiconductor]] (a [[diode]]) that emits [[light]] when an [[electric current]] is passed through it. It is made with many different specialized semiconductor materials so it can give off light when current flows forward through it. Depending on the different types of chemical elements used in making the diode, different colors of light can be produced. Unlike simple semiconductors which usually contain [[silicon]] and [[germanium]], the complex semiconductors required to generate light contain more unusual compounds. Although composition varies, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide and indium phosphide are commonly used in LEDs.<ref>http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/data/semicond/leds-light-emitting-diodes/technology-tutorial.php</ref> |