Skip to main content
Log in

Electroluminescent cooling mechanism in InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes

  • Published:
Optical and Quantum Electronics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are able to emit photons of higher energy than the injected electrons, resulting in an above-unity electrical efficiency. This phenomenon is generally attributed to heat extraction from the crystal lattice. In good agreement with measurements, we investigate the microscopic mechanism and the magnitude of such electroluminescent cooling by advanced numerical simulation including all relevant heat transfer mechanisms. Peltier cooling near the InGaN light-emitting layer is found to reduce the internal LED temperature rise significantly.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Auf der Maur, M., Galler, B., Pietzonka, I., Strassburg, M., Lugauer, H., Di Carlo, A.: Trap-assisted tunneling in InGaN/GaN single-quantum-well light-emitting diodes. Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, 133504 (2015)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Galler, B.T.: Ph.D. Thesis, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany, 2014 (in German)

  • Han, P., Jin, K., Zhou, Y.-L., Lu, H.-B., Yang, G.-Z.: Numerical designing of semiconductor structure for optothermionic refrigeration. J. Appl. Phys. 101, 014506 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Heikkilä, O., Oksanen, J., Tulkki, J.: The challenge of unity wall plug efficiency: the effects of internal heating on the efficiency of light emitting diodes. J. Appl. Phys. 107, 033105 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hurni, C.A., David, A., Cich, M.J., Aldaz, R.I., Ellis, B., Huang, K., Tyagi, A., DeLille, R.A., Craven, M.D., Steranka, F.M., Krames, M.R.: Bulk GaN flip-chip violet light-emitting diodes with optimized efficiency for high-power operation. Appl. Phys. Lett. 106, 031101 (2015)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K.C., Yen, S.T.: Photon recycling effect on electroluminescent refrigeration. J. Appl. Phys. 111, 014511 (2012)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lehovec, K., Accardo, C.A., Jamgochian, E.: Light emission produced by current injected into a green silicon-carbide crystal. Phys. Rev. 89, 20–25 (1953)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Pipe, K.P., Ram, R.J., Shakouri, A.: Bias-dependent Peltier coefficient and internal cooling in bipolar devices. Phys. Rev. 66, 125316 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Piprek, J.: Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices—Introduction to Physics and Simulation. Academic Press, San Diego (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sztein, A., Haberstroh, J., Bowers, J.E., DenBaars, S.P., Nakamura, S.: Calculated thermoelectric properties of InxGal − xN, InxAl1 − xN, and AlxGa1 − xN. J. Appl. Phys. 113, 183707 (2013)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weisbuch, C., Piccardo, M., Martinelli, L., Iveland, J., Peretti, J., Speck, J.S.: The efficiency challenge of nitride light-emitting diodes for lighting. Phys. Status Solidi A 212, 899–913 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, J., Zhao, Y., Oh, S.-H., Herrington, W.F., Speck, J.S., DenBaars, S.P., Nakamura, S., Ram, R.J.: Thermally enhanced blue light-emitting diode. Appl. Phys. Lett. 107, 121109 (2015)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joachim Piprek.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Numerical Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices 2016.

Guest edited by Yuh-Renn Wu, Weida Hu, Slawomir Sujecki, Silvano Donati, Matthias Auf der Maur and Mohamed Swillam.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Piprek, J., Li, ZM. Electroluminescent cooling mechanism in InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes. Opt Quant Electron 48, 472 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-016-0729-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-016-0729-1

Keywords

Navigation