Abstract
The internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and the forward voltage characteristics of GaN/InGaN-based blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are investigated based on numerical simulations. Specifically, we study the effects of structural parameters near the AlGaN electron-blocking layer (EBL), such as the Al composition of the EBL, the thickness of the GaN last barrier (LB) layer, and the doping concentration at the p-type-doped layers. When the hole concentration is sufficiently high, LEDs without the AlGaN EBL are found to show the best performances in IQE and forward voltage, implying that AlGaN-EBL-free structures can be advantageous for achieving high-efficiency LED characteristics. We also find and discuss the facts that the high hole concentration at the p-layers and the thin LB layer thickness are advantageous for high IQE and low forward voltage characteristics under the condition that the Mg diffusion into the active layers is not significant.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
E. F. Schubert and J. K. Kim, Science 308, 1274 (2005).
G. Chen, M. Craven, A. Kim, A. Munkholm, S. Watanabe, M. Camras, W. Götz and F. Steranka, Phys. Status Solidi A 205, 1086 (2008).
A. Laubsch, M. Sabathil, J. Baur, M. Peter and B. Hahn, IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 57, 79 (2010).
J. Piprek, Phys. Status Solidi A 207, 2217 (2010).
Y. C. Shen, G. O. Mueller, S. Watanabe, N. F. Gardner, A. Munkholm and M. R. Krames, Appl. Phys. Lett. 81, 141101 (2007).
A. David and M. J. Grundmann, Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 103504 (2010).
M. H. Kim, M. F. Schubert, Q. Dai, J. K. Kim, E. F. Schubert, J. Piprek and Y. Park, Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 183507 (2007).
B. Monemar and B. E. Sernelius, Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 181103 (2007).
J. Hader, J. V. Moloney and S. W. Koch, Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 221106 (2010).
J. I. Shim, H. Kim, D. S. Shin and H. Y. Ryu, J. Korean Phys. Soc. 58, 503 (2011).
H. Y. Ryu, D. S. Shin and J. I. Shim, Appl. Phys. Lett. 100, 131109 (2012).
H. Y. Ryu, H. S. Kim and J. I. Shim, Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 081114 (2009).
APSYS by Crosslight Software, Inc., Burnaby, Canada, http://www.crosslight.com.
J. R. Chen, Y. C. Wu, S. C. Ling, T. S. Ko, T. C. Lu, H. C. Kuo, Y. K. Kuo and S. C. Wang, Appl. Phys. B 98, 779 (2010).
J. Piprek and S. Li, Opt. Quantum Electron. 42, 89 (2010).
H. Y. Ryu and J. I. Shim, Opt. Express 19, 2886 (2011).
V. Fiorentini, F. Bernardini and O. Ambacher, Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 1204 (2002).
X. Ni, Q. Fan, R. Shimada, Ü. Özgür and H. Morkoç, Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 071113 (2008).
O. H. Nam et al., Phys. Status Solidi A 201, 2717 (2004).
K. Köhler, T. Stephan, A. Perona, J. Wiegert, M. Maier, M. Kunzer and J. Wagner, J. Appl. Phys. 97, 104914 (2005).
H. Y. Ryu, J. I. Shim, C. H. Kim, J. H. Choi, H. M. Jung, M. S. Noh, J. M. Lee and E. S. Nam, IEEE Photonics Technol. Lett. 23, 1866 (2011).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ryu, HY., Lee, SH. Simulation of the effects of AlGaN electron-blocking layers on the characteristics of InGaN blue light-emitting diodes. Journal of the Korean Physical Society 61, 1395–1399 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3938/jkps.61.1395
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3938/jkps.61.1395