Enhanced optical output power of green light-emitting diodes by surface plasmon of gold nanoparticles

We demonstrate the surface plasmon (SP) enhanced green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The Au nanoparticles were embedded in the p-GaN of LEDs. The photoluminescence and electroluminescence measurements showed improved optical properties of LEDs with Au nanoparticles due to an increase in the spontaneous emission rate by resonance coupling between the excitons in multiple quantum wells and localized surface plasmons in Au nanoparticles. The optical output power of SP-enhanced green LEDs with Au nanoparticles was increased by 86% without showing degradation of the electrical characteristics of LEDs compared to LEDs without Au nanoparticles. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3552968]