Asymmetry of carrier transport leading to efficiency droop in GaInN based light-emitting diodes

The effect of the asymmetry in carrier concentration and mobility is studied in GaInN pn-junction light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We propose and present experimental evidence that the asymmetry in carrier concentration and mobility, and associated high-level injection phenomena, cause efficiency droop in GaInN LEDs. Low temperatures exacerbate the degree of asymmetry of the junction by reducing acceptor ionization, and shift high-injection-phenomena to lower currents. Accordingly, at temperatures near 80 K, we measure a greater droop compared to room temperature. The analysis of temperature-dependent I–V curves shows an excellent correlation between the onset of high-level injection and the onset of droop.