Improved Light Extraction Efficiency of a High-Power GaN-Based Light-Emitting Diode With a Three-Dimensional-Photonic Crystal (3-D-PhC) Backside Reflector

An interesting approach to improving the light extraction efficiency of high-power GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by the use of a 3-D-photonic crystal (3-D-PhC) backside reflector is studied. A 3-D-PhC backside reflector is formed by coating a self-assembled SiO
₂
nanosphere monolayer between the hybrid reflector and backside of a sapphire substrate. The 3-D-PhC structure is used to enhance light scattering. At 350 mA, as compared with a conventional LED (with a hybrid reflector while only without the 3-D-PhC structure), the studied device exhibits 23.6% enhancement in the light output power without the degradation of electrical properties. Therefore, the performance of high-power GaN-based LEDs could be further improved by using a 3-D-PhC backside reflector.