The design of optimum high radiance double heterojunction (Al,Ga)As LED´s for fiber-optical communication systems

The differential equation for current flow in an etched-well type LED is solved. This solution leads to design criteria for the optimization of these devices. These criteria are that the sheet resistance of the p-layers be as large as possible (for a p-type active layer), the sheet resistance of the n-layer be as small as possible, and the ratio of contact diameter to well diameter be as large as possible. Measurements of optical power coupled into a fiber are in excellent agreement with predictions of the model assuming unity internal quantum efficiency.