AVIXA Recognized AV Technologist Test

What serves as the light source in an OLED?

1. A backlight

2. An external lamp

3. A key light

4. The OLED itself

The correct answer is: The OLED itself

In an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, the light source is generated by the OLED material itself. When an electric current is applied to the organic compounds within the OLED, they emit light directly, allowing for vibrant colors and high contrast ratios. This self-emissive characteristic means that each pixel can produce its own light, leading to deeper blacks because the pixels can turn off entirely when displaying black. In contrast, traditional LCD displays rely on a backlight to illuminate the pixels, diminishing their ability to achieve true black and affecting overall contrast. External lamps and key lights are not used in OLED technology, as the internal structure eliminates the need for any additional lighting sources. This fundamental aspect of OLED technology is what makes it distinct and advantageous in many applications.