Efficiency enhancement of micro-light-emitting diode with shrinking size by localized surface plasmons coupling

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 130; no. 3
• Main Authors: Du, Zaifa, Sun, Jie, Feng, Hongjuan, Tang, Penghao, Guo, Weiling, Han, Kai, Chen, Enguo, Guo, Tailiang, Song, Jibin, Yan, Qun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-03-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Coupling; Engineering; Lasers; Light emitting diodes; Mesas; Multi Quantum Wells; Nanoparticles; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Plasmons; Quantum efficiency; Quantum Optics; Silver; Spin coating
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-024-08174-4

The external quantum efficiency (EQE) enhancement of different sized GaN micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) by using localized surface plasmons (LSPs) have been studied. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are attached to the sidewalls of μLEDs by spin-coating so as to be effectively coupled with the multiple quantum well (MQW) of μLEDs and generate the LSPs. In the μLEDs with 20 × 20 μm
2
large mesas, the LSPs can effectively inhibit the efficiency droop. Compared to the μLED samples without the LSPs coupling, the EQE has been enhanced by about 8% at a high current density of 20,000 A/cm
2
. This work confirms the effectiveness of the LSPs technology in improving the μLED performances, which is originally practiced only on the basal faces of conventional LEDs.