Enhanced radiative recombination rate by local potential fluctuation in InGaN/AlGaN near-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

Abstract

We investigate the differences in optoelectronic performances of InGaN/AlGaN multiple-quantum-well (MQW) near-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes by using samples with different indium compositions. Various macroscopic characterizations have been performed to show that the strain-induced piezoelectric field (F PZ ), the crystal quality, and the internal quantum efficiency increase with the sample's indium composition. This improved performance is owing to the carrier recombination at relatively defect-free indium-rich localized sites, caused by the local in-plane potential-energy fluctuation in MQWs. The potential-energy fluctuation in MQWs are considered to be originating from the combined effects of the inhomogeneous distribution of point defects, F PZ , and indium compositions.