Energy Transfer Under Electrical Excitation and Enhanced Electroluminescence in the Nanolaminate Yb,Er Co‐Doped Al2O3 Films

Abstract

The energy transfer from Yb3+ to Er3+ ions under electrical excitation which enhances the Er‐related 1531 nm electroluminescence is evidenced, within the nanolaminate Yb,Er co‐doped Al2O3 films fabricated by atomic layer deposition. The light‐emitting devices based on these nanolaminates present an external quantum efficiency up to 24% and the power efficiency of 2.8×10−3, ≈60% higher than the solely Er‐doped Al2O3 device. The decay dynamics also support, with the radiative lifetime of the Yb3+ emission reduced while that of Er3+ emission rises. The Er3+ and Yb3+ ions are impact‐excited by hot electrons, which stem from Poole–Frenkel conduction mechanism in Al2O3 matrix. This work certifies the potential of sensitizing Er3+ ions by the adjacent Yb3+ ions under electrical excitation, and applications of the rare earth‐doped nanolaminates in silicon‐based optoelectronics.