Optical cavity effects in InGaN/GaN quantum-well-heterostructure flip-chip light-emitting diodes

Optical cavity effects have a significant influence on the extraction efficiency of InGaN/GaN quantum-well-heterostructure flip-chip light-emitting diodes (FCLEDs). Light emitted from the quantum well (QW) self-interferes due to reflection from a closely placed reflective metallic mirror. The interference patterns couple into the escape cone for light extraction from the FCLED. This effect causes significant changes in the extraction efficiency as the distance between the QW and the metallic mirror varies. In addition, the radiative lifetime of the QW also changes as a function of the distance between the QW and the mirror surface. Experimental results from packaged FCLEDs, supported by optical modeling, show that a QW placed at an optimum distance from the mirror provides a similar to2.3x increase in total light output as compared to a QW placed at a neighboring position corresponding to a minimum in overall light extraction. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.