Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
Formal
A semiconductor that generates light via electroluminescence.
Practical
An LED is often small in area and integrated optical components may be used to shape its radiation pattern. Recent developments in LEDs permit them to be used in environmental and task lighting. LEDs have many advantages over incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved physical robustness, smaller size, and faster switching. Infrared LEDs can be used for the remote control units of many consumer electronics.
