ZnO nanowire LED has ultralow driven current

Dec. 1, 2010
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an interesting optical semiconductor that is potentially useful for short-wavelength LEDs (as well as photodetectors).

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an interesting optical semiconductor that is potentially useful for short-wavelength LEDs (as well as photodetectors). It is unusual in that its normal use is not as a single-crystalline layer, but instead as nanostructures such as nanowires and nanoflakes, used either singly or in sheets. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Changchun and Beijing, China), Jilin University (Changchun, China), and Northeast Normal University (Changchun, China) are creating deep-blue-emitting LEDs that, in some versions, have a polymer intrinsic layer; the devices exhibit a low driven current with a microampere amplitude.

Two types of LED were created: One had a magnesium oxide (MgO) intrinsic layer and a ZnO layer containing vertically aligned ZnO nanowires, while the other had polymer as the intrinsic layer and a ZnO layer with randomly oriented nanowires (both had nanowires with 300 nm diameters). The polymer-containing version had better carrier-blocking ability, resulting in less emission outside the intended 400 nm region. In addition, the 330 μA forward injection current for the polymer version was far lower than the 5.04 mA forward injection current for the MgO-containing version.

Contact Dongxu Zhao at[email protected].

More Laser Focus World Current Issue Articles


More Laser Focus World Archives Issue Articles

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!