High-Efficiency ZnO-Based LEDs on Conductive ZnO Substrates for General Illumination (Phase I)
Investigating Organization
ZN Technology
Principal Investigator(s)
Mr. Gene Cantwell
Subcontractor
None
Funding Source
Small Business Innovation R&D, Phase I
Award
DOE Share: $100,000
Contract Period
7/3/04 - 4/12/05
High-efficiency, white light LEDs will be fabricated from alloys of ZnO on conductive ZnO substrates utilizing a phosphor(s) to convert the nearly monochromatic, blue or near UV light of the LED to white light. The method for p-type doping patented by the PI along with the growth of high-quality ZnO substrated in-house, will enable the project to proceed rapidly. The inherent luminous efficiency of ZnO, along with the ability to construct totally vertical devices due to the conductive substrate and the lower cost of the basic materials, will result in increased efficiency and lower cost than the current technology.
ZnO-based LED structures will be fabricated and characterized during Phase I. Initially, a simple pn device will be made and fully characterized for electrical and electro-optic characteristics. Subsequently, a single quantum well LED will be constructed using a CdZnO alloy as the quantum well and MgZnO as the barriers. The LED structure will be fully characterized and the data used to project efficiency of an optimized LED device based on these compounds. Selection of a phosphor(s) for conversion to white light and their impact on the overall efficiency will be projected.
Development of this technology will result in high-efficiency, low-cost, white light LEDs for general illumination. In addition, it will also result in high-brightness blue and ultra violet LEDs for application in displays, backlighting, and other applications. The technology for high-efficiency diode lasers will derive from the LED technology. These lasers will have application in the high density optical storage industry (DVDs, etc.), in the printing industry, (i.e., direct computer writing to printing plates), and in other areas requiring a highly compact, high efficiency laser source in the blue or ultra violet.