Disentangling the effects of nanoscale structural variations on the light emission wavelength of single nano-emitters: InGaN/GaN multiquantum well nano-LEDs for a case study

Sarau G, Heilmann M, Latzel M, Christiansen S (2014)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Nanoscale Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 6

Pages Range: 11953-11962

Journal Issue: 20

DOI: 10.1039/c4nr02939a

Abstract

The scattering in the light emission wavelength of semiconductor nano-emitters assigned to nanoscale variations in strain, thickness, and composition is critical in current and novel nanotechnologies from highly efficient light sources to photovoltaics. Here, we present a correlated experimental and theoretical study of single nanorod light emitting diodes (nano-LEDs) based on InGaN/GaN multiquantum wells to separate the contributions of these intrinsic fluctuations. Cathodoluminescence measurements show that nano-LEDs with identical strain states probed by non-resonant micro-Raman spectroscopy can radiate light at different wavelengths. The deviations in the measured optical transitions agree very well with band profile calculations for quantum well thicknesses of 2.07-2.72 nm and In fractions of 17.5-19.5% tightly enclosing the growth values. The nanorod surface roughness controls the appearance of surface optical phonon modes with direct implications on the design of phonon assisted nano-LED devices. This work establishes a new, simple, and powerful methodology for fundamental understanding as well as quantitative analysis of the strain - light emission relationship and surface-related phenomena in the emerging field of nano-emitters.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Latzel Institut für Optik, Information und Photonik

Additional Organisation(s)

Exzellenz-Cluster Engineering of Advanced Materials

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Sarau, G., Heilmann, M., Latzel, M., & Christiansen, S. (2014). Disentangling the effects of nanoscale structural variations on the light emission wavelength of single nano-emitters: InGaN/GaN multiquantum well nano-LEDs for a case study. Nanoscale, 6(20), 11953-11962. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c4nr02939a

MLA:

Sarau, George, et al. "Disentangling the effects of nanoscale structural variations on the light emission wavelength of single nano-emitters: InGaN/GaN multiquantum well nano-LEDs for a case study." Nanoscale 6.20 (2014): 11953-11962.

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