High-efficiency InGaN blue LEDs with reduced positive sheet polarization

Abstract

The formation of positive sheet polarization charges at the interface of the last quantum barrier (QB) and the conventional p -type electron-blocking layer (EBL) creates significant band bending, leading to severe electron leakage and poor hole injection in III-nitride light-emitting diodes. We report that the positive sheet polarization charges are mitigated by employing a lattice matched AlGaN last QB. Electron leakage is dramatically reduced due to the increased effective conduction band height at the last QB and EBL. Furthermore, it favors hole injection into the active region due to the reduced effective valance band height for EBL.