We have systematically investigated the impact of device size scaling on the light output, spectral shift, and self-heating of 400 nm InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Devices with diameters in the range 20–300 μm have been studied. It is shown that smaller LED pixels can deliver higher power densities (despite the lower absolute output powers) and sustain higher current densities. Investigations of the electroluminescence characteristics of differently sized pixels against current density reveal that the spectral shift is dominated by blueshift at the low current density level and then by redshift at the high current density level, owing to the competition between the bandgap shrinkage caused by self-heating and band-filling effects. The redshift of the emission wavelength with increasing current density is much faster and larger for the bigger pixels, suggesting that the self-heating effect is also size dependent. This is further confirmed by the junction-temperature rise measured by the established spectral shift method. It is shown that the junction-temperature rise in smaller pixels is slower, which in turn explains why the smaller redshift of the emission wavelength with current density is present in smaller pixels. The measured size-dependent junction temperature is in reasonable agreement with finite element method simulation results.

GaAsBiN is a potentially interesting alloy which may be exploited in near- and mid-infrared photonic devices. Here we present the predicted band parameters such as band gap (Eg), the spin-orbit splitting energy (ΔSO), band offsets and strain of GaAsBiN on GaAs versus N and Bi compositions based on recent experimental data. We also show how bismuth may be used to form alloys whereby ΔSO > Eg thereby providing a means of suppressing non-radiative CHSH (hot-hole producing) Auger recombination and inter-valence band absorption. We determine the optimum conditions where ΔSO > Eg, which is expected to improve the high-temperature performance and thermal stability of light emitting devices. It is also shown that preferential band offsets are achievable with GaAsBiN, which makes this material system promising for photonic devices operating in the near- and mid-infrared.

The Ga(AsBi) material system opens opportunities in the field of high efficiency infrared laser diodes. We report on the growth, structural investigations, and lasing properties of dilute bismide Ga(AsBi)/(AlGa)As single quantum well lasers with 2.2% Bi grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy on GaAs (001) substrates. Electrically injected laser operation at room temperature is achieved with a threshold current density of 1.56 kA/cm2 at an emission wavelength of ∼947 nm. These results from broad area devices show great promise for developing efficient IR laser diodes based on this emerging materials system.

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Electrically pumped GaAsBi/GaAs quantum well lasers are a promising new class of near-infrared devices where, by use of the unusual band structure properties of GaAsBi alloys, it is possible to suppress the dominant energy-consuming Auger recombination and inter-valence band absorption loss mechanisms, which greatly impact upon the device performance. Suppression of these loss mechanisms promises to lead to highly efficient, uncooled operation of telecommunications lasers, making GaAsBi system a strong candidate for the development of next-generation semiconductor lasers. In this report we present the first experimentally measured optical gain, absorption and spontaneous emission spectra for GaAsBi-based quantum well laser structures. We determine internal optical losses of 10–15 cm−1 and a peak modal gain of 24 cm−1, corresponding to a material gain of approximately 1500 cm−1 at a current density of 2 kA cm−2. To complement the experimental studies, a theoretical analysis of the spontaneous emission and optical gain spectra is presented, using a model based upon a 12-band k.p Hamiltonian for GaAsBi alloys. The results of our theoretical calculations are in excellent quantitative agreement with the experimental data, and together provide a powerful predictive capability for use in the design and optimisation of high efficiency lasers in the infrared.

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Replacing small amounts of As with Bi in InGaBiAs/InP induces large decreases and increases in the bandgap, E, and spin-orbit splitting, Δ, respectively. The possibility of achieving Δ > E and a reduced temperature (T) dependence for E are significant for suppressing recombination losses and improving performance in mid-infrared photonic devices. We measure E (x, T) and Δ (x, T) in InGa BiAs/InP samples for 0 x 0.039 by various complementary optical spectroscopic techniques. While we find no clear evidence of a decreased dE/dT (≈0.34 ± 0.06 meV/K in all samples) we find Δ > E for x > 3.3-4.3. The predictions of a valence band anti-crossing model agree well with the measurements. © 2012 American Institute of Physics