Full wafer scale nanoimprint lithography for GaN-based light-emitting diodes

A UV-imprinting process for a full wafer was developed to enhance the light extraction of GaN-based green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A polyvinyl chloride flexible stamp was used in the imprinting process to compensate for the poor flatness of the LED wafer. Two-dimensional photonic crystal patterns with pitches ranging from 600 to 900 nm were formed on the p-GaN top cladding layer of a 2 inch diameter wafer using nanoimprint and reactive ion etching processes. As a result, the optical output power of the patterned LED device was increased by up to 44% at a driving current of 20 mA by suppressing the total internal reflection and enhancing the irregular scattering of photons at the patterned p-GaN surface. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.