Five universities from Japan and Taiwan join forces to develop new CP-OLEDs
Five universities in Japan and Taiwan have launched a joint project to investigate a new generation of organic diodes capable of emitting circularly polarized light. The work will focus on the scientific and material bases of CP-OLEDs, with possible applications in displays, optical communications, security and three-dimensional imaging.
The initiative will be led by Yoshitane Imaiprofessor at Kindai University, and Ming-Chia Lifrom National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Ibaraki University, Osaka Metropolitan University and National Central University are also participating. The program will run between fiscal years 2026 and 2028.
CP-OLEDs directly generate circularly polarized light
Circularly polarized light is characterized by the fact that its electric field rotates clockwise or counterclockwise as it travels. That direction of rotation adds a property that can be used along with intensity and color to transport or represent information.
A CP-OLED converts electrical energy directly into this type of light. This feature could be exploited in future displays, optical and quantum communications, security systems, sensors, spintronics and 3D visualization technologies. The announcement, however, corresponds to beginning of a fundamental research program and it still does not present a panel ready for commercial manufacturing.
Those responsible recognize several obstacles. The technology needs to combine a high degree of polarization with good luminous efficiency, expand the catalog of available materials and offer greater freedom in designing the devices. Achieving one property without harming the others continues to be one of the main challenges of CP-OLEDs.
Japan will provide measurement and Taiwan will provide materials development
The project will bring together complementary capabilities. The Japanese team will contribute its experience in circularly polarized light spectroscopy, evaluation of luminescence under magnetic fields, and manufacturing and analysis of organic electroluminescent devices.
Taiwanese researchers will work with chiral luminescent materials, polymers, semiconductors, self-assembly processes and advanced structural analysis techniques. The combination will allow us to study how to induce asymmetries in the electronic states and in the spin of the electrons using magnetic or electric fields.
The program will cover wavelengths from visible light to near infrared. Its goal is to establish new design principles for efficient materials and devices whose circular emission can be controlled by external stimuli.
The project will combine three mechanisms
One of the lines will study circularly polarized luminescence induced by magnetic fields or MCPL. Another will use electric fields to control the issuance through ECPL.
The third mechanism will be chirality-induced spin selectivity effect or CISS. This phenomenon allows us to select the spin of the electrons that pass through certain chiral molecular structures. The teams will attempt to combine all three approaches to reduce reliance on conventional chiral emitter materials and expand design possibilities.
The official documentation talks about creating technical foundations and new guidelines for designing CP-OLED. It does not provide figures for brightness, consumption, useful life or performance, nor does it claim that a television capable of doubling the brightness of a current OLED has been manufactured. Nor does it establish a date for transferring these advances to commercial products.
The project has been selected within the aid program for joint research in natural and applied sciences of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. This call is focused during 2025 and 2026 on semiconductors and related sciences, with a maximum duration of three years.
The first activity will be the Joint Taiwan-Japan Symposium on Next Generation Circularly Polarized Luminescence Technology. It will be held on September 1 and 2, 2026 at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and National Central University.
Thirteen researchers and students from the five universities will participate, as well as attendees from other Taiwanese centers. The program will include scientific presentations, sessions for young researchers, laboratory visits and meetings aimed at organizing the three years of joint work.
