AlGaN Deep-Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes with External Quantum Efficiency above 10%

Improvements of the internal quantum efficiency by reduction of the threading dislocation density and of the light extraction by using UV transparent p-type cladding and contact layers, UV reflecting ohmic contact, and chip encapsulation with optimized shape and refractive index allowed us to obtain the external quantum efficiency of 10.4% at 20mA CW current with the output power up to 9.3 mW at 278 nm for AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes grown on sapphire substrates. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics