Energy Frontier Research Center for Solid-State Lighting Science: Exploring New Materials Architectures and Light Emission Phenomena

摘要

The Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) for Solid-State Lighting Science (SSLS) is one of 46 EFRCs initiated in 2009 to conduct basic and use-inspired research relevant to energy technologies. The overarching theme of the SSLS EFRC is the exploration of energy conversion in tailored photonic structures. In this article we review highlights from the research of the SSLS EFRC. Major research themes include: studies of the materials properties and emission characteristics of Ill-nitride semiconductor nanowires; development of new phosphors and II-VI quantum dots for use as wavelength downconverters; fundamental understanding of competing radiative and nonradiative processes in current-generation, planar light-emitting diode architectures; understanding of the electrical, optical, and structural properties of defects in InGaN materials and heterostructures; exploring ways to enhance spontaneous emission through modification of the environment in which the emission takes place; and investigating routes such as stimulated emission that might outcompete nonradiative processes.