Fluorescent silicon carbide as an ultraviolet-to-visible light converter by control of donor to acceptor recombinations

Abstract

As an alternative to the conventional phosphors in white LEDs, a donor and acceptor co-doped fluorescent 6H-SiC can be used as an ultraviolet-to-visible light converter without any need of rare-earth metals. From experimental data we provide an explanation to how light can be obtained at room temperature by a balance of the donors and acceptors. A steady-state recombination rate model is used to demonstrate that the luminescence in fluorescent SiC can be enhanced by controlling the donor and acceptor doping levels. A doping criterion for optimization of this luminescence is thus proposed.