# Seoul Viosys Launches Rare-Earth-Free White Light Emitters New micro-LED technology enables white light production without rare-earth materials or packaging. - **Source:** [Hacker News: Front Page](https://brifing.si/source/b07aa772-b1a0-4a76-aa18-719c6f9e2dde) - **Published:** 2026-11-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7cdcbb77-9b7b-4a26-82c1-e9a7dd5e8cd9 ## Breaking Rare-Earth Dependence For three decades, white LED production relied heavily on rare-earth materials like yttrium aluminium garnet. Seoul Viosys has now bypassed this requirement by developing a chip that generates white light using only gallium nitride. This innovation marks a significant shift in semiconductor manufacturing, moving away from environmentally harmful materials toward sustainable alternatives. ## WICOP Architecture Evolution The WICOP technology eliminates the need for traditional packaging, which previously hindered miniaturization. By extending this architecture to the third generation, Seoul Viosys can now produce white light emitters smaller than 100µm. This advancement allows for the integration of white light into micro-LED applications that were previously considered technically impossible. ## Cost and Efficiency Gains Conventional white LEDs represent a 10 billion dollar market, yet they rely on plastics and silicone resins. The new WICOP 3 chips reduce manufacturing costs by approximately 50 percent compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, these chips are free from synthetic organic materials, significantly increasing their durability and lifespan for long-term lighting applications. ## Performance Metrics and Targets Initial mass production tests show a 25µm by 10µm chip producing 0.015lm of light. Current luminous efficacy stands at 100lm/W, with the company targeting 200lm/W within two years. These figures outperform conventional 1000µm chips, which typically achieve 50lm, demonstrating the superior potential of miniaturized opto-semiconductor technology for future high-efficiency lighting solutions. ## AI Data Transmission Potential Beyond lighting, these micro-emitters facilitate high-speed data transfer for AI applications. By arranging 1000 chips in a 1mm square grid, the system transmits data ten times faster than copper wires while consuming one-tenth of the power. This capability addresses the critical heat and energy constraints currently faced by modern AI data centers. ## Market Expansion Strategy Seoul Viosys aims to capture emerging markets in augmented reality glasses and AI data communications. The company is actively seeking supply chain partners to scale these technologies. With the potential to create a 60 billion dollar market within five years, this innovation positions the firm as a leader in next-generation opto-semiconductor interconnects. ## Future Lighting Applications The miniaturization of white light emitters enables invisible integration into everyday surfaces like wallpaper or window glass. By removing the need for bulky fixtures, this technology could revolutionize interior design and construction. The company anticipates this shift will generate a market tens of times larger than the current packaged LED industry. ## Strategic Production Timeline Mass production of the WICOP 3 technology is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. Seoul Group intends to prioritize supply to customers who have historically respected their intellectual property. This rollout strategy ensures that the most reliable partners gain early access to this transformative, rare-earth-free semiconductor technology. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2026/oct/seoul-291026.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._