Performance Improvement of InGaN-Based LEDs via a Current-Blocking Region Prepared via Hydrogen Passivation

We report p-GaN passivation via hydrogen plasma used to create current blocking regions (CBRs) in InGaN-based green LEDs with standard dimensions of 280 × 650 μm2. The CBRs are created before mesa etching in two variants: underneath the opaque metal p-pad and both underneath the p-pad and along the device’s mesa perimeter. The peak EQE increased by 13% and 23% in the first and the second cases, respectively, in comparison to the reference LED with no CBR. With a high injection current of 50 A/cm2, the EQE value increased by 2% in the case of CBRs underneath the p-pad as well as by 14% in the case of CBRs both underneath the p-pad and along the mesa perimeter (relative to the reference sample with no CBR).