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IGZO Displays: Advantages and Disadvantages

igzo display technology semiconductor advantages disadvantages

This page explores the pros and cons of IGZO displays, covering their benefits and drawbacks.

What is IGZO?

Introduction:

  • IGZO is a compound semiconductor made of Indium, Gallium, Zinc, and Oxygen. This is where it gets its name from the acronym IGZO, short for Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide.
  • Sharp and Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. Ltd. have developed thin film transistors using IGZO. It’s used in TFT backplanes.
  • The technology was developed in Japan and is licensed by companies like Sharp and Samsung.
  • IGZO is considered a next-generation organic LED display technology, offering high definition with low power consumption.
  • It’s a next-generation semiconductor that provides numerous functionalities with optimal energy consumption.

advantages of IGZO display

Figure 1: Comparison of IGZO display with a traditional amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFT display.

As the figure shows, IGZO displays offer about twice the resolution compared to traditional TFT silicon displays.

Some examples of products using IGZO include:

  • Mirrors that display internet content and TV
  • Mirrors that check health conditions
  • Interactive tables for study
  • Glasses that calculate calories
  • Blankets with health sensors

Benefits or Advantages of IGZO Displays

The following are the benefits and advantages of IGZO displays:

  • Higher Electron Mobility: IGZO has an electron mobility (electric current speed) that is 20 to 50 times faster than a-Si. This allows for further miniaturization of transistors.
  • Improved Resolution: IGZO displays offer twice the resolution compared to conventional LCDs.
  • Power Savings: IGZO displays offer power savings of 80 to 90% while displaying images compared to LCD display panels.
  • Image Persistence: IGZO display panels can continue to display images even after the power is turned off (presumably for a short duration).
  • Ease of Use: IGZO displays are generally easier to use and deliver more information effectively.
  • Intuitive Controls: The controls on devices using IGZO displays tend to be more intuitive.
  • Noise Resistance: IGZO displays are less influenced by noise, resulting in a cleaner image.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of IGZO Displays

The following are the drawbacks and disadvantages of IGZO displays:

  • Voltage Sensitivity: IGZO is a metal oxide, and the high reactivity of oxygen can result in very low voltage sensitivity in the IGZO display.
  • Cost: IGZO utilizes rare earth metals such as indium and gallium. Moreover, manufacturing methods require costly equipment and utmost care, leading to higher costs for IGZO display panels.
  • Response Time: Although IGZO offers faster response times compared to a-Si, it is still slower than TN & IPS LCD technologies.