German physicists from Julius-Maximilians University in Würzburg have created the world's smallest light-emitting pixel, measuring just 300 nanometers squared. This tiny pixel is so small that it theoretically allows for a Full HD display to be fitted onto an area of one square millimeter.
The pixels are based on OLED technology and can achieve a brightness of up to 3000 nits with a response time that exceeds the requirements for video. The key to their success lies in the metallic contact structure, which simultaneously supplies current and enhances light emission.
Previous miniature OLED elements suffered from current overload at the edges, which reduced their lifespan. The team of physicists solved this problem by applying an insulating layer with holes as small as 200 nanometers in diameter. As a result, the pixels remained stable for over two weeks at room temperature.
In the future, the researchers plan to improve the energy efficiency and expand the color gamut to a full RGB range. Once this technology is developed, it could be used to create ultra-compact displays for smart glasses, microprojectors, and other wearable devices.