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

Abstract

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.

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1236233
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-8937J
Journal ID: ISSN 0003-6951; APPLAB; 608309
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Applied Physics Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 107; Journal Issue: 14; Journal ID: ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; light emitting diodes; charge injection; spontaneous emission; solid solutions; vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Citation Formats

Chow, Weng W., and Crawford, Mary H. Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4932582.
Chow, Weng W., & Crawford, Mary H. Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4932582
Chow, Weng W., and Crawford, Mary H. 2015. "Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4932582. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1236233.
@article{osti_1236233,
title = {Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting},
author = {Chow, Weng W. and Crawford, Mary H.},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4932582},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1236233}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
issn = {0003-6951},
number = 14,
volume = 107,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}

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Cited by: 17 works
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Works referenced in this record:

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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


Investigation of Saturation Effects in Ceramic Phosphors for Laser Lighting
journal, December 2017