Interplay of polarization fields and Auger recombination in the efficiency droop of nitride light-emitting diodes

We use theoretical modeling to investigate the effect of polarization fields and non-radiative Auger recombination on the efficiency-droop and green-gap problems of polar and nonpolar nitride light-emitting diodes. The dependence of radiative and nonradiative recombination rates on electron-hole wave-function overlap is analyzed. Device designs that minimize the polarization fields lead to higher efficiency, not because the internal quantum efficiency is improved at a given carrier density but because they can be operated at a lower carrier density for a given current density. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4769374]