Dr. Khaled Ahmed of Intel Corporation

MicroLED systems require more than efficient microscale light sources. But without efficient microscale light sources the value proposition of MicroLED systems may be questionable. Since the Spring of 2014, MicroLED displays have received incredible investments in the form of R&D and startup acquisitions. The hype continues after more than a decade of intense research and develop-ment to find manufacturing solutions for MicroLED displays and MicroLED optical interconnects for AI applications. Challenges remain. These challenges are discussed in this talk through the eyes of an engineer who has been contributing and analyzing this incredible technology for more than a decade, and an author of a book titled ”MicroLED Devices and Systems” in 2024.

Biography:

Dr. Khaled Ahmed is a pioneering technologist and prolific inventor whose career spans more than three decades across microelectronics, semiconductor processing, advanced displays, and photonic systems. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineeringfrom Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1991 and 1994, respectively, before moving to the United States to pursue doctoral studies. In December 1998, he received his Ph.D. in Microelectronics from North Carolina State University. Dr. Ahmed’s industrial journey began at AMD, where heplayed a critical role in the productization of the K6 microprocessor—AMD’s first non-Intel-clone CPU. He then contributed to the advancement of SiGe BiCMOS technologies at Conexant Systems, targeting high-performance communication applications. In 2001, Dr.Ahmed joined Applied Materials, where his work on plasma nitridation became foundational for CMOS fabrication across thesemiconductor industry throughout the 2000s. His career continued to evolve through strategic roles that bridged advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. At Applied’s SunFab initiative, he led SubFab productization for solar manufacturing. He then joined Intermolecular, driving R&D on novel materials for thin-film transistors in next-generation displays. In 2015, Dr. Ahmed joined Intel’s Global Supply Chain organization, where he led the development of a MicroLED ecosystem tailored to Intel’s vision for future laptop displays. His focus shifted in 2021 toward leveraging MicroLEDs for high-speed optical communication, laying the groundwork for ultra-efficient interconnects. In 2024, hejoined the Extreme Scale Computing group in Intel’s Office of the CTO, where he continues to drive innovation at the intersection of MicroLED photonics and hyperspectral imaging. Dr. Ahmed holds approximately 200 issued and pending patents spanning semiconductor devices, fabrication equipment, microscopic assembly, display systems, and optical technologies. He was named Intel Inventor of the Year forfour consecutive years, a rare distinction reflecting both breadth and impact. In August 2024, he authored the first original book on MicroLEDs, cementing his role as a thought leader in the field. With a career defined by bold transitions and deep technical contributions, Dr. Khaled Ahmed stands at the forefront of innovation in electronics, displays, and photonic systems.