Abstract: With an n-AlGaN (4 nm)/GaN (4 nm) superlattice (SL) inserted between an n-GaN and an InGaN/GaN multiquantum well active layer, the efficiency droop of GaN-based LEDs has been improved. When the injection current is lower than 100 mA, the lumen efficiency of the LED with an n-AlGaN/GaN SL is relatively small compared to that without an n-AlGaN/GaN SL. However, as the injection current increases more than 100 mA, the lumen efficiency of the LED with an n-AlGaN/GaN SL surpasses that of an LED without an n-AlGaN/GaN SL. The wall plug efficiency of an LED has the same trend as lumen efficiency. The improvement of the efficiency droop of LEDs with n-AlGaN/GaN SLs can be attributed to a decrease in electron leakage due to the enhanced current spreading ability and electron blocking effect at high current densities. The reverse current of LEDs at -5 V reverse voltage decreases from 0.2568029 to 0.0070543 μA, and the electro-static discharge (ESD) pass yield of an LED at human body mode (HBM)-ESD impulses of 2000 V increases from 60% to 90%.

Key words: n-AlGaN/GaN superlattices, wall plng efficiency, droop, reverse current