Abstract
The continuing development of consumer electronics, mobile communications and advanced computing technologies has led
to a rapid growth in data traffic, creating challenges for the communications industry. Light-emitting diode (LED)-based communication
links are of potential use in both free space and optical interconnect applications, and LEDs based on emerging
semiconductor materials, which can offer tunable optoelectronics properties and solution-processable manufacturing, are of
particular interest in the development of next-generation data communications. Here we review the development of emerging
LED materials—organic semiconductors, colloidal quantum dots and metal halide perovskites—for use in optical communications.
We examine efforts to improve the modulation performance and device efficiency of these LEDs, and consider potential
applications in on-chip interconnects and light fidelity (Li-Fi). We also explore the challenges that exist in developing practical
high-speed LED-based data communication systems.