Lead Performer: National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Golden, CO
Partners:
-- Microlink Devices Inc. – Niles, IL
-- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology – Rapid City, SD
FY20 DOE Funding: $500,000
Project Term:  October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2020
Funding Type: Lab Award

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Developing solid-state lighting systems with high efficiency and enhanced functionality will require the adoption of color-mixing architectures that combine highly efficient red, green, blue, and amber light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Already, hybrid architectures pair phosphor-converted wide-bandgap nitride LEDs with (Al_xGa_1-x)_0.51In_0.49P red LEDs to improve the emission spectrum and reduce infrared losses. However, the efficiencies and thermal stabilities of (Al_xGa_1-x)_0.51In_0.49P red and amber LEDs are still too low to enable these approaches. This project aims to develop Al_xIn_1-xP LEDs that enable much greater current densities and temperature stability than the incumbent technology. Activities include optimizing growth conditions to achieve high degrees of spontaneous atomic ordering, measuring the magnitude of the barriers to electron loss in Al_xIn_1-xP ordered/disordered heterostructures emitting at 590 nm, and introducing quantum confinement to improve the emission efficiency.

PROJECT IMPACT

The project will seek to demonstrate unpackaged Al_xIn_1-xP LEDs with higher efficiencies and hot/cold factors than incumbent (Al_xGa_1-x)_0.51In_0.49P devices. This work will further the research needed for color-mixing LEDs, specifically improving the efficiencies of red and amber LEDs. Experimental work will be supplemented with industry engagement, to understand the value proposition of the project’s approach and identify pathways for future collaboration and technology transfer.

CONTACTS

DOE Technology Manager: Brian Walker, brian.walker@ee.doe.gov
Lead Performer: Kirstin Alberi, National Renewable Energy Laboratory