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Title: Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4932582· OSTI ID:1236233
 [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

This letter analyzes the proposal to mitigate the efficiency droop in solid-state light emitters by replacing InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with lasers. The argument in favor of this approach is that carrier-population clamping after the onset of lasing limits carrier loss to that at threshold, while stimulated emission continues to grow with injection current. A fully quantized (carriers and light) theory that is applicable to LEDs and lasers (above and below threshold) is used to obtain a quantitative evaluation. The results confirm the potential advantage of higher laser output power and efficiency above lasing threshold, while also indicating disadvantages including low efficiency prior to lasing onset, sensitivity of lasing threshold to temperature, and the effects of catastrophic laser failure. As a result, a solution to some of these concerns is suggested that takes advantage of recent developments in nanolasers.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1236233
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-8937J; APPLAB; 608309
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 107, Issue 14; ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 17 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (9)

A Thermally Robust La 3 Si 6 N 11 :Ce-in-Glass Film for High-Brightness Blue-Laser-Driven Solid State Lighting journal November 2018
Negative characteristic temperature of GaN-based blue laser diode investigated by numerical simulation journal January 2017
Emission from quantum-dot high-β microcavities: transition from spontaneous emission to lasing and the effects of superradiant emitter coupling journal February 2017
Quantum-optical influences in optoelectronics—An introduction journal December 2018
Delayed Transition to Coherent Emission in Nanolasers with Extended Gain Media journal November 2018
Investigation of Saturation Effects in Ceramic Phosphors for Laser Lighting journal December 2017
Emission from quantum-dot high-β microcavities: transition from spontaneous emission to lasing and the effects of superradiant emitter coupling text January 2017
Delayed transition to coherent emission in nanolasers with extended gain media text January 2018
Investigation into the Anomalous Temperature Characteristics of InGaN Double Quantum Well Blue Laser Diodes Using Numerical Simulation journal May 2017