Effect of MgZnO barrier layer on the UV emission of n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction diodes

ZnO-based heterojunction light emitting diodes (LEDs) with MgZnO barrier layer had been fabricated on the p-Si substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technology. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics exhibited a typical p-n diode behavior. Both ultraviolet (UV) and visible emissions could be detected in the electroluminescence (EL) measurement. The result was compared with the EL spectrum of n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction LED without MgZnO barrier layer. An improved light extraction efficiency by about 31% was realized owing to the current-blocking effect of MgZnO layer. The result indicated that MgZnO barrier layer can prevent the electrons as expected and realize electron-hole recombination in ZnO layer effectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.