Surface acoustic wave-driven planar light-emitting device

Electroluminescence emission controlled by means of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in planar light-emitting diodes (pLEDs) is demonstrated. Interdigital transducers for SAW generation were integrated onto pLEDs fabricated following the scheme which we have recently developed [Cecchini et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 636 (2003)]. Current-voltage, light-voltage, and photoluminescence characteristics are presented at cryogenic temperatures. We argue that this scheme represents a valuable building block for advanced optoelectronic architectures. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.