Large Area, High Power, Vertically Conducting Deep UV LEDs

Nitek Inc. proposes to develop deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes having high quantum efficiency, long device lifetime, and large emission area to make usable for force protection objectives of bio-agent threat detection and maneuver sustainment objectives of potable water. The advancements in deep UV LEDs will be achieved by developing a novel vertically conducting geometry. In addition to the inherent advantages that are gained by developing a vertically conducting LED compared with conventional laterally conducting devices, Nitek proposes several advances to these devices that will allow them to meet the challenging technical goals that are required for large scale commercial acceptance of these devices. These include development of thick n-AlGaN base templates, backside device heatsink deposition, enhanced light extraction through surface modification, and short-pass filter deposition to reduce the deep level emission from the deep UV LEDs.