Jason Heikenfeld

Rare-earth-doped GaN: growth, properties, and fabrication of electroluminescent devices

A review is presented of the fabrication, operation, and applications of rare-earth-doped GaN electroluminescent devices (ELDs). GaN:RE ELDs emit light due to impact excitation of the rare earth (RE) ions by hot carriers followed by radiative RE relaxation. By appropriately choosing the RE dopant, narrow linewidth emission can be obtained at selected wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the infrared. The deposition of GaN:RE layers is carried out by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy, and a plasma N/sub 2/ source. Growth mechanisms and optimization of the GaN layers for RE emission are discussed based on RE concentration, growth temperature, and V/III ratio. The fabrication processes and electrical models for both dc- and ac-biased devices are discussed, along with techniques for multicolor integration. Visible emission at red, green, and blue wavelengths from GaN doped with Eu, Er, and Tm has led to the development of flat-panel display (FPD) devices. The brightness characteristics of thick dielectric EL (TDEL) display devices are reviewed as a function of bias, frequency, and time. High contrast TDEL devices using a black dielectric are presented. The fabrication and operation of FPD prototypes are described. Infrared emission at 1.5 /spl mu/m from GaN:Er ELDs has been applied to optical telecommunications devices. The fabrication of GaN channel waveguides by inductively coupled plasma etching is also reviewed, along with waveguide optical characterization.

Red light emission by photoluminescence and electroluminescence from Eu-doped GaN

Visible light emission has been obtained at room temperature by photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) from Eu-doped GaN thin films. The GaN was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates using solid sources (for Ga and Eu) and a plasma source for N2. X-ray diffraction shows the GaN:Eu to be a wurtzitic single crystal film. Above GaN band gap photoexcitation with a He–Cd laser at 325 nm resulted in strong red emission. Observed Eu3+ PL transitions consist of a dominant narrow red line at 621 nm and several weaker emission lines were found within the green through red (543 to 663 nm) range. Below band gap PL by Ar laser pumping at 488 nm also resulted in red emission, but with an order of magnitude lower intensity. EL was obtained through use of transparent indium–tin–oxide contacts to the GaN:Eu film. Intense red emission is observed in EL operation, with a spectrum similar to that seen in PL. The dominant red line observed in PL and EL has been identified as the Eu3+ 4f shell transitio...

A Review of Phased Array Steering for Narrow-Band Electrooptical Systems

Nonmechanical steering of optical beams will enable revolutionary systems with random access pointing, similar to microwave radar phased arrays. An early approach was birefringent liquid crystals writing a sawtooth phase profile in one polarization, using 2pi resets. Liquid crystals were used because of high birefringence. Fringing fields associated with voltage control required to implement the 2pi resets have limited the efficiency and steering angle of this beam steering approach. Because of steering angle limitations, this conventional liquid crystal steering approach is usually combined with a large angle step-steering approach. Volume holograms, birefringent prisms or sawtooth-profile birefringent phase gratings, and circular-type polarization gratings are the large angle step steering approaches that will be reviewed in this paper. Alternate steering approaches to the combined liquid crystal and step-steering approach exist. Microelectromechanical system mirrors, lenslet arrays, electrowetting, and a variable birefringent grating approach will be reviewed and compared against the conventional liquid crystal and step-steering approaches. Step-steering approaches can also be combined with these approaches. Multiple nonmechanical steering approaches are developing that will allow high-efficiency steering, excellent steering accuracy, and wide fields of view.

Agile wide-angle beam steering with electrowetting microprisms

A novel basis for beam steering with electrowetting microprisms (EMPs) is reported. EMPs utilize electrowetting modulation of liquid contact angle in order to mimic the refractive behavior for various classical prism geometries. Continuous beam steering through an angle of 14 degrees (+/-7 degrees ) has been demonstrated with a liquid index of n=1.359. Experimental results are well-matched to theoretical behavior up to the point of electrowetting contact-angle saturation. Projections show that use of higher index liquids (n~1.6) will result in steering through ~30 degrees (+/-15 degrees ). Fundamental factors defining achievable deflection range, and issues for Ladar use, are reviewed. This approach is capable of good switching speed (~ms), polarization independent operation, modulation of beam field-of-view (lensing), and high steering efficiency that is independent of deflection angle.

Blue emission from Tm-doped GaN electroluminescent devices

Blue emission has been obtained at room temperature from Tm-doped GaN electroluminescent devices. The GaN was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si(111) substrates using solid sources (for Ga and Tm) and a plasma source for N2. Indium–tin–oxide was deposited on the GaN layer and patterned to provide both the bias (small area) and ground (large area) transparent electrodes. Strong blue light emission under the bias electrode was observable with the naked eye at room temperature. The visible emission spectrum consists of a main contribution in the blue region at 477 nm corresponding to the Tm transition from the 1G4 to the 3H6 ground state. A strong near-infrared peak was also observed at 802 nm. The relative blue emission efficiency was found to increase linearly with bias voltage and current beyond certain turn-on levels.

Review Paper: A critical review of the present and future prospects for electronic paper

Abstract— The commercial success of monochrome electronic paper (e-Paper) is now propelling the development of next-generation flexible, video, and color e-Paper products. Unlike the early battles in the 1980s and 1990s between transmissive and emissive display technologies, there is a extraordinary diversity of technologies vying to become the next generation of e-Paper. A critical review of all major e-Paper technologies, including a technical breakdown of the performance limitations based on device physics and commentary on possible future breakthroughs, is presented. In addition, the visual requirements for color e-Paper are provided and compared to standards used in conventional print. It is concluded that researchers have much work remaining in order to bridge the significant gap between reflective electronic displays and print-on-paper.

Spectral and Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Studies of Eu-Doped GaN

We report on spectral and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) studies performed on Eu-doped GaN prepared by solid-source molecular-beam epitaxy. Using above-gap excitation, the integrated PL intensity of the main Eu3+ line at 622.3 nm (5D0→7F2 transition) decreased by nearly 90% between 14 K and room temperature. Using below-gap excitation, the integrated intensity of this line decreased by only ∼50% for the same temperature range. In addition, the Eu3+ PL spectrum and decay dynamics changed significantly compared to above-gap excitation. These results suggest the existence of different Eu3+ centers with distinct optical properties. Photoluminescence excitation measurements revealed resonant intra-4f absorption lines of Eu3+ ions, as well as a broad excitation band centered at ∼400 nm. This broad excitation band overlaps higher lying intra-4f Eu3+ energy levels, providing an efficient pathway for carrier-mediated excitation of Eu3+ ions in GaN.

Adhesive RFID Sensor Patch for Monitoring of Sweat Electrolytes

Wearable digital health devices are dominantly found in rigid form factors such as bracelets and pucks. An adhesive radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor bandage (patch) is reported, which can be made completely intimate with human skin, a distinct advantage for chronological monitoring of biomarkers in sweat. In this demonstration, a commercial RFID chip is adapted with minimum components to allow potentiometric sensing of solutes in sweat, and surface temperature, as read by an Android smartphone app with 96% accuracy at 50 mM Na+ (in vitro tests). All circuitry is solder-reflow integrated on a standard Cu/polyimide flexible-electronic layer including an antenna, but while also allowing electroplating for simple integration of exotic metals for sensing electrodes. Optional paper microfluidics wick sweat from a sweat porous adhesive allowing flow to the sensor, or the sensor can be directly contacted to the skin. The wearability of the patch has been demonstrated for up to seven days, and includes a protective textile which provides a feel and appearance similar to a standard Band-Aid. Applications include hydration monitoring, but the basic capability is extendable to other mM ionic solutes in sweat (Cl-, K+, Mg2+, NH4+, and Zn2+). The design and fabrication of the patch are provided in full detail, as the basic components could be useful in the design of other wearable sensors.

The microfluidics of the eccrine sweat gland, including biomarker partitioning, transport, and biosensing implications.

Non-invasive and accurate access of biomarkers remains a holy grail of the biomedical community. Human eccrine sweat is a surprisingly biomarker-rich fluid which is gaining increasing attention. This is especially true in applications of continuous bio-monitoring where other biofluids prove more challenging, if not impossible. However, much confusion on the topic exists as the microfluidics of the eccrine sweat gland has never been comprehensively presented and models of biomarker partitioning into sweat are either underdeveloped and/or highly scattered across literature. Reported here are microfluidic models for eccrine sweat generation and flow which are coupled with review of blood-to-sweat biomarker partition pathways, therefore providing insights such as how biomarker concentration changes with sweat flow rate. Additionally, it is shown that both flow rate and biomarker diffusion determine the effective sampling rate of biomarkers at the skin surface (chronological resolution). The discussion covers a broad class of biomarkers including ions (Na(+), Cl(-), K(+), NH4 (+)), small molecules (ethanol, cortisol, urea, and lactate), and even peptides or small proteins (neuropeptides and cytokines). The models are not meant to be exhaustive for all biomarkers, yet collectively serve as a foundational guide for further development of sweat-based diagnostics and for those beginning exploration of new biomarker opportunities in sweat.

Multiple color capability from rare earth-doped gallium nitride

Rare earth (RE) doping of GaN has led to a new full color thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) phosphor system. GaN films doped with Eu, Er, and Tm dopants emit pure red, green, and blue emission colors, respectively. As a host for RE luminescent centers, GaN possesses many properties which are ideal for bright multiple color TFEL. Specifically, GaN has excellent high field transport characteristics, is chemically and thermally rugged, and incorporates well the RE dopants. X-ray absorption measurements have shown that even at RE dopant levels exceeding 0.1 at.% the majority of RE dopants occupy a strongly bonded substitutional site on the Ga sublattice. According to RE crystal field theory this tetrahedrally bonded site allows optical activation and emission from RE 4f‐4f inner-shell electronic transitions. Monte Carlo calculations of GaN carrier transport have shown that at 2M V cm 1 applied field the average electron possesses 2.6 eV energy which is adequate for exciting blue emission. GaN:Er TFEL devices have exhibited a brightness of 500‐1000 cd:m 2 at 540 nm. In addition to pure colors, mixed colors can be achieved by doping with a combination of REs. For example, co-doping with Er and Tm results in an emission spectrum which is perceived by the human eye as a blue‐green (turquoise) hue. Multiple color capability in a single device has also been demonstrated by adjusting the bias voltage (in a co-doped GaN:Er,Eu layer) or by switching the bias polarity (in a stacked two layer GaN:Er:GaN:Eu structure). The combination of pure or mixed color emission, the availability of bias controlled color, and the potential for white light emission indicate that GaN:RE TFEL devices have enormous potential for display applications.