AlGaInP microcavity light-emitting diodes at 650 nm on Ge substrates

We demonstrate microcavity light emitting diodes (MCLEDs) emitting at 650 nm on Ge substrates. Ge has the advantage of lower cost and higher strength compared to GaAs substrates. The multi-quantum well microcavity devices consisted of AlGaAs-based distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirrors, AlGaInP active material with an additional 5-μm p-Al/sub 0.55/Ga/sub 0.45/As current spreading layer on top of the p-DBR. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 4.35% and an optical power higher than 5 mW was obtained for a device with 200-μm diameter. The results indicate the potential use of MCLEDs on Ge for visible LEDs.