Visible and infrared rare-earth activated electroluminescence from erbium doped GaN

Abstract

Room temperature visible and IR light electroluminescence (EL) has been obtained from Er-doped GaN Schottky barrier diodes. The GaN was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates using solid sources (for Ga and Er) and a plasma source for N2. Transparent contacts utilizing indium tin oxide were employed. Strong green light emission was observed under reverse bias due to electron impact excitation of the Er atoms. Weaker emission was present under forward bias. The emission spectrum consists of two narrow green lines at 537 and 558 nm and minor peaks at 413, 461, 665, and 706 nm. There is also emission at 1000 nm and 1540 nm in the IR. The green emission lines have been identified as Er transitions from the 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 levels to the 4I15/2 ground state. The IR emission lines have been identified as transitions from the 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 levels to the 4I15/2 ground state. EL intensity for visible and IR light has a sub-unity power law dependence on bias current. An external quantum efficiency of 0.1% has also been demonstrated under a reverse bias current of 3.85 mA.