LED Quantum Well Structure for Carrier Injection Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carrier over-shooting in light emitting diodes (LEDs) leads to a decrease in internal quantum efficiency, as electrons with high energy are not injected into the active layer, resulting in reduced light emission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting diode structure is developed with an active layer comprising multiple quantum well layers and barrier layers, each with varying indium composition ratios and protrusion parts, which helps in capturing more carriers and reducing energy levels, thereby minimizing carrier over-shooting and enhancing quantum efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrons are injected into the active layer with high energy, then carrier injection efficiency is improved, but carrier over-shooting occurs and internal quantum efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier injection efficiencyVSAvoidinternal quantum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The active layer is segmented into multiple quantum well layers with different indium composition ratios (first quantum well layer with lower In ratio, second quantum well layer with higher In ratio). This segmentation creates a cascaded energy structure that guides high-energy electrons through sequential energy reduction steps, preventing carrier over-shooting while maintaining efficient carrier injection and recombination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the active layer are given different local properties through varying indium composition ratios in different quantum well layers. The first quantum well layer has lower indium content for initial carrier capture, while the second quantum well layer has higher indium content for final recombination, creating localized energy zones that systematically reduce carrier energy without loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a conventional single-structure active layer is used, then device structure is simple, but carrier over-shooting reduces internal quantum efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive layer structureVSAvoidinternal quantum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The active layer is divided into multiple quantum well layers with progressively increasing indium composition ratios. This segmentation transforms a simple single-layer structure into a multi-layer cascaded structure that systematically manages carrier energy, preventing over-shooting while maintaining manufacturability through standardized growth processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indium composition ratio parameter is systematically changed across different quantum well layers (increasing from first to second layer). This parameter variation creates the energy cascade effect needed to prevent carrier over-shooting, while the changes are implemented within controllable manufacturing parameters for practical fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed structure increases internal quantum efficiency, improves carrier-trap efficiency, and enhances light emission intensity and lifetime of the LEDs.

Implementation Method 1

the active layer includes at least one quantum well layer and at least one quantum barrier layer, and each of the quantum well layers includes a plurality of well layers having different indium composition ratios

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuantum confinement effect: Potential Well

Implementation Method 2

A light emitting diode (LED) is a p-n junction diode having characteristics of converting electric energy into light energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10199534B2Light-emitting diode, light-emitting diode package, and lighting system including same
Publication Date: 2019.02.05 SUZHOU LEKIN SEMICON CO LTD
  • US10199534B2 patent drawing
  • US10199534B2 patent drawing
  • US10199534B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light emitting diode according to an embodiment includes: a substrate; a first conductive semiconductor layer on the substrate; an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer; and a light emitting structure including a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, wherein the active layer includes at least one quantum well layer and at least one quantum barrier layer, and each of the quantum well layers includes a plurality of well layers having different indium composition ratios, thereby improving internal quantum efficiency.