Influence of surface topography on light emission from tunnel junctions

A. J. Leonard Ferguson; Paul Dawson; K. W. Smith; R. J. Turner; H. P. Hagan; D. George Walmsley

doi:10.1117/12.58176

1 May 1992 Influence of surface topography on light emission from tunnel junctions

A. J. Leonard Ferguson, Paul Dawson, K. W. Smith, R. J. Turner, H. P. Hagan, D. George Walmsley

Proceedings Volume 1639, Scanning Probe Microscopies; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58176
Event: OE/LASE '92, 1992, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Visible light is emitted from roughened metal-oxide-metal tunnel junctions subjected to a small (2 - 4 V) dc bias. The color of the emitted light is voltage tunable but device quantum efficiency is generally very low (10^-5 - 10^-7). The optical emission is due to the roughness induced scattering of electronically excited surface plasmon polaritons. The characteristics of the surface roughness are clearly important in determining the overall device efficiency and spectral output. With a view to better understanding and improving the efficiency we have examined the surface topography of variously roughened devices and relate this to the optical output. For example, we have roughened devices by means of holographic crossed diffraction grating substrates which possess surface topography of greater rms roughness height and larger transverse correlation length than that of devices roughened by a pre-deposited CaF₂ layer. Devices roughened by means of a particulate aluminum substrate are also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

A. J. Leonard Ferguson, Paul Dawson, K. W. Smith, R. J. Turner, H. P. Hagan, and D. George Walmsley "Influence of surface topography on light emission from tunnel junctions", Proc. SPIE 1639, Scanning Probe Microscopies, (1 May 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58176

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