DEGRADATION OF II-VI BASED BLUE-GREEN LIGHT EMITTERS

We have carried out the first detailed structural studies of degradati on in II-VI blue-green light emitters. Electroluminescence and transmi ssion electron microscopy studies carried out on light emitting diodes fabricated from quantum well laser structures and electroluminescence studies on stripe laser structures show that degradation occurs by th e formation and propagation of crystal defects. The studies indicate t hat room temperature cw lasing in such structures is possibly prevente d by the rapid formation of such defects at the high current densities required for lasing.