The advantages of blue InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with InGaN barriers are studied. The L-I curves, carrier concentrations in the quantum wells, energy band diagrams, and internal quantum efficiency are investigated. The simulation results show that the InGaN/InGaN LED has better performance over its conventional InGaN/GaN counterpart due to the enhancement of electron confinement, the reduced polarization effect between the barrier and well, and the lower potential barrier height for the holes to transport in the active region. The simulation results also suggest that the efficiency droop is markedly improved when the traditional GaN barriers are replaced by InGaN barriers.

GaAs epilayers were grown with a wide range of excess arsenic concentrations and subjected to various anneals to study the role of the point defects and arsenic precipitates in carrier trapping and recombination. Prior to anneal, the point defects rapidly trap photogenerated electrons and holes—usually on subpicosecond time scales. However, full electron-hole recombination occurs on a significantly longer time scale. After anneal, the full electron-hole recombination lifetime appears to be greatly reduced, indicating that the arsenic precipitates play a significant role.

Some specific designs on the electron blocking layer (EBL) of blue InGaN LEDs are investigated numerically in order to improve the hole injection efficiency without losing the blocking capability of electrons. Simulation results show that polarization-induced downward band bending is mitigated in these redesigned EBLs and, hence, the hole injection efficiency increases markedly. The optical performance and efficiency droop are also improved, especially under the situation of high current injection.

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The advantages of InGaN light-emitting diodes with GaN-InGaN-GaN barriers are studied. The energy band diagrams, carrier concentrations in the quantum wells, radiative recombination rate in the active region, light-current performance curves, and internal quantum efficiency are investigated. The simulation results show that the InGaN/GaN-InGaN-GaN light-emitting diode has better performance over its conventional InGaN/GaN and InGaN/InGaN counterparts due to the appropriately modified energy band diagrams which are favorable for the injection of electrons and holes and uniform distribution of these carriers in the quantum wells. V