Room temperature direct-bandgap electroluminescence from a horizontal Ge ridge waveguide on Si

We report a lateral Ge-on-Si ridge waveguide light emitting diode (LED) grown by ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHV-CVD). Direct-bandgap electroluminescence (EL) of Ge waveguide under continuous current is observed at room temperature. The heat-enhancing luminescence and thermal radiation-induced superlinear increase of edge output optical power are found. The spontaneous emission and thermal radiation based on the generalized Planck radiation law are calculated and fit very well to the experimental results. The Ge waveguides with different lengths are studied and the shorter one shows stronger EL intensity.