SBIR Phase I: High Power, High Efficiency Micropixel Ultraviolet Light Emitting Lamp

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将基于创新的微像素器件设计开发新型大功率、高效率深紫外光发光二极管(DUV LED)灯。发射波长为250-365 nm的深紫外光光源被广泛应用于水/空气净化、分析科学仪器、生物制剂检测系统和新兴的小型化生物医疗仪器。基于AlInGaN(AlInGaN)的DUVLED最近已经被开发和商业化。然而，目前它们的外量子效率和输出功率在连续工作模式下仅为1-2%和1-2 mW。这些低数字的主要原因之一是n-AlGaN缓冲层的电阻引起的电流拥挤。为了应对这一挑战，人们正在开发具有微像素器件几何结构的大面积LED，其预期输出功率为15-20 mW，并且运行稳定，寿命超过3000小时。人们正在为n-AlGaN缓冲层和有源层沉积开发新的方法，以增加它们的厚度，避免开裂，并减少它们的电阻和缺陷。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力为开发基于半导体材料的固态深紫外光光源提供了新的机遇。目标性能将允许渗透到现有的大型UV细分市场，如净水、医疗仪器和UV聚合物固化。深紫外光电子领域每年都在继续增长，通过该计划获得的专业知识将有助于新型DUV光源的发展。该项目还将为当地大学和技术学院的毕业生带来就业机会，从而促进南卡罗来纳州的高科技经济发展。此外，该项目还将显著增强高铝含量AlInGaN材料科学及其外延沉积和加工与封装方面的知识基础。将知识库和开发的技术转化为用于消毒/净化和聚合物固化市场的商业产品的可能性很高。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will result in developing novel high-power, high-efficiency Deep Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode (DUV LED) Lamps based on an innovative and new micro-pixel device design. Deep ultraviolet light sources with emission wavelengths lambda from 250 - 365 nm are used in many applications including water/air purification, analytical scientific instrumentation, bio-agent detection systems and emerging miniaturized bio-medical instrumentation. Aluminum-indium-gallium-nitride (AlInGaN) based DUVLEDs have recently been developed and commercialized. However at present their external quantum efficiency and output powers are only 1-2% and 1-2 mW in continuous operating mode. One of the primary causes of these low numbers is current crowding arising from the resistance of the n-AlGaN buffer layers. To address this challenge large area LEDs with micro-pixel device geometry with expected output powers of 15-20mW and a stable operation with lifetime over 3000 hours are being developed. New approaches are being developed for the n-AlGaN buffer layers and the active layers deposition to increase their thickness, avoid cracking, and reduce their resistance and defects. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project represents a new opportunity for developing semiconductor materials based solid-state deep ultraviolet light sources. The targeted performance will allow for penetration into large existing UV market segments such as water purification, medical instrumentation and UV polymer curing. The deep ultraviolet optoelectronic field continues to grow each year and the expertise gained through this program will contribute to the advancement of novel DUV light sources. The project will also lead to jobs for graduates from local Universities and Technical Institutes thereby fostering high-tech economic development in the state of South Carolina. Moreover the project will significantly enhance the knowledge base in high-aluminum content AlInGaN materials science, their epitaxial deposition and processing and packaging. There is a very high probability of transitioning the knowledge base and the developed technology to commercial products for disinfection/purification and polymer curing markets.