RGB LEDs and laser materials development

Visible emitters for Displays are a focus of IQEs R&D and of considerable interest worldwide. The PhD will cover RGB micro-LEDs for next generation displays (on 200mm substrates) as well as lasers.
Work will involve designing suitable layer structures, producing new fast-fabrication approaches to provide automated and rapid characterisation and comparing the performance, manufacturability and environmental footprint of different approaches.

For example, red-emitters could be produced using GaInP QWs and grown on GaAs or Ge 200mm substrates (world-first) or using InGaN micro-LEDs, which could be easier to integrate with blue and green. Individually the former is probably easier to manufacture but the latter probably has a better environmental footprint. Work will include Life Cycle Analysis to determine the best environmental approach for the full RGB display. Other challenges include internal and external quantum efficiency, viewing angle and layer architectures for integration.

There are several potential strategies for InGaN lasers and we should compare performance obtained with monolithic cavity structures against e.g. semiconductor amplifiers coupled with high-finesse silicon-nitride cavities.

We envisage close-cooperation between the team and the development of world-leading understanding of the complex relationships between design, growth and fabrication to create a world-leading technology that is high-performance and environmentally-sustainable.