InGaN/GaN nanorod array white light-emitting diode

Conventional InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes based on planar quantum well structures do not allow for efficient long-wavelength operation beyond the blue region due to a strong quantum confined Stark effect in lattice-mismatched polar InGaN quantum wells. Here we overcome the limitation by using self-assembled GaN nanorod arrays as strain-free growth templates for thick InGaN nanodisks. In combination with enhanced carrier localization and high crystalline quality, this approach allows us to realize full-color InGaN nanodisk emitters. By tailoring the numbers, positions, and thicknesses of polychromatic nanodisk ensembles embedded vertically in the GaN nanorod p-n junction, we are able to demonstrate natural white (color temperature similar to 6000 K) electroluminescence from InGaN/GaN nanorod arrays. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3478515]