Water Sterilization Using Semiconductor-Based Deep Ultraviolet Light Sources

O. Bilenko, Yu. Bilenko, I. Shturm, A. Lunev and R. Gaska
Optoelectronic Products Manager, US

Keywords:

water purification,ultraviolet light emitting diodes, E.coli bacteria

Abstract:

We demonstrate deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) as key building blocks in the next generation water purification systems. The AlGaN-based DUV LEDs have been grown over sapphire substrates using our proprietary MEMOCVD® method and processed and packaged according our UVTOP® LED design. We studied effectiveness of water sterilization using high concentrations of bacteria in big volumes (200 ml or more) of still water and in flowing water in the range of 265 nm – 340 nm. The inactivation was strongly wavelength-dependent decreasing by more than 6 orders of magnitude for 265 nm compared to 340 nm. The killing efficiency exceeded results reported for low-pressure mercury lamps in-vitro.

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