Circularly Polarized 1540 nm Short-Wave Infrared Electroluminescence from Er-Based Halide LEDs with 3.06% Record...

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Erbium (Er3+)-doped 1540 nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are vital for optical communications, bioimaging, and sensing.
• Achieving high luminous efficiency and tailored circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) simultaneously in these LEDs remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop efficient 1540 nm short-wave infrared (SWIR) electroluminescence with distinct CPL in Er3+-doped Cs3ErCl6 nanocrystals (NCs).
• To explore a synergistic strategy involving co-doping and ligand modification to enhance LED performance.

Main Methods:

• Co-doping Cs3ErCl6 NCs with Y3+ to modulate lattice symmetry and enhance luminescence.
• Introducing Sb3+ to facilitate energy transfer via self-trapped excitons.
• Modifying NCs with camphor ligands to passivate defects and induce CPL.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 1540 nm photoluminescence quantum yield of 35.7% and CPL (asymmetry factor: -3.67 × 10-2) in camphor-modified NCs.
• Demonstrated SWIR LEDs with record external quantum efficiency of 3.06% at 1540 nm.
• First demonstration of electrically driven circularly polarized 1540 nm emission (asymmetry factor: -3.08 × 10-2).

Conclusions:

• A synergistic doping-ligand strategy enables high-performance Er-based halide optoelectronics.
• This approach provides a versatile platform for developing long-wavelength devices with efficient emission and tailored polarization.
• The developed LEDs are crucial for advancing next-generation optical communication and bioimaging.