An explanation for invalidity of working currents' derating on improving light-emitting diode devices' reliability

Derating of the working current level does not work for improving GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) devices' reliability. The present work demonstrates that it is not the levels but the specific components of the applied electrical currents weighing more on LEDs' degradation. Existing defects are sources for tunneling currents and Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) non-radiative recombination current, and the component of tunneling currents and SRH non-radiative recombination current in the applied electrical current will in turn induce fast increase of defect density. The current component from electron tunneling to deep levels in the vicinity of mixed/screw dislocations will affect more on LEDs' degradation than other components, such as heavy-hole tunneling via intermediate state. In a whole, the overflow leakage current from the active region and Auger recombination currents in the applied electrical current will generate positive effects to alleviate LEDs' degradation.