Patent · US Expired

Quantum well device with control of spontaneous photon emission, and method of manufacturing same

US5089860A · kind A · utility

62Cited by
0References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 25, 1990
Grant dateFeb 18, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 25, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10H20/841
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In the present invention, spontaneous photon emission intensity in a semiconductor quantum well is strongly influenced by a highly reflecting interface, with the quantum well to interface spacing being less than the optical emission wavelength of the quantum well. An enhancement/inhibition ratio on the order of 10 is possible according to the present invention using a single reflector, and enhancement/inhibition ratios on the order of 1000 are possible when two reflectors are used in the quantum well light-emitting diode structures. In addition, according to the present invention, the gain, directionality, and efficiency of a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser can also be greatly improved. A method of making a device according to the present invention is also presented.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.