Study of Stimulated Emission in InGaN/GaN Multi-Quantum Wells in the Temperature Range of 175 k to 575 k

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe present the results of an experimental study on stimulated emission (SE) in optically pumped InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well (MQW) structures in the temperature range of 175 K to 575 K. Samples used in this work consisted of 12 QWs and the GaN barriers were intentionally doped with different Si concentrations. The effect of doping on the SE thresholds of the MQWs were investigated. We observed that the SE spectra were comprised of many narrow peaks of less than I Å full width at half maximum (FWHM). No broadening of the FWHMs of the peaks occurred as the temperature was raised from 175 to 575 K. The SE threshold was measured as a function of temperature and compared with that of a thin GaN film. Low SE thresholds were attributed to high quantum efficiency of the MQWs, possibly associated with large carrier localization. A characteristic temperature of 162 K was derived from the temperature dependence of the SE threshold. The integrated emission intensity versus pumping density was examined for different temperatures. This study shows that InGaN/GaN MQWs are suitable for the development of laser diodes that can operate well above room temperature.