Revolutionizing red micro-LEDs: Harnessing surface plasmons for enhanced efficiency

Red micro-LEDs (μ-LEDs) hold immense potential for next-generation displays, but their efficiency, particularly in smaller sizes, remains a significant challenge. To address this, we introduce a novel approach that leverages localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to dramatically boost the performance of red μ-LEDs. Our strategy involves integrating rod-shaped Au nanoparticles into a precisely engineered nanohole pattern. By strategically placing these nanoparticles, we optimize LSPR coupling with the active region of the μ-LEDs, resulting in significant enhancements in light extraction efficiency and reduced radiative recombination rates. Furthermore, we employ a chemical treatment to effectively passivate surface defects, minimizing non-radiative recombination losses. This synergistic approach leads to a substantial increase in both optical output and electroluminescence intensity, pushing the boundaries of red μ-LED performance. The nanohole-patterned μ-LED chips achieve a ∼2.32-fold higher optical output at 50 A/cm2, along with an ∼8.96-fold higher electroluminescence, compared to the bare μ-LEDs. A lower lifetime of 0.348 ns for the nanohole-patterned μ-LEDs elucidates the fundamental mechanism of the novel approach with a high energy-coupling efficiency (67%) of the multi-quantum wells through the fast LSP channel. Our findings offer a promising pathway to realize highly efficient and compact red μ-LEDs, paving the way for advanced display technologies with superior brightness, color purity, and energy efficiency.