Double superlattice structure for improving the performance of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

The novel AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) with double superlattice structure (DSL) are proposed and demonstrated by numerical simulation and experimental verification. The DSL consists of 30-period Mg modulation-doped p-AlGaN/u-GaN superlattice (SL) and 4-period p-AlGaN/p-GaN SL electron blocking layer, which are used to replace the p-type GaN layer and electron blocking layer of conventional UV-LEDs, respectively. Due to the special effects and interfacial stress, the AlGaN/GaN short-period superlattice can reduce the acceptor ionization energy of the p-type regions, thereby increasing the hole concentration. Meanwhile, the multi-barrier electron blocking layers are effective in suppressing electron leakage and improving hole injection. Experimental results show that the enhancements of 22.5% and 37.9% in the output power and external quantum efficiency at 120 mA appear in the device with double superlattice structure.