LEDs on HVPE grown GaN substrates: Influence of macroscopic surface features

We demonstrate the strong influence of GaN substrate surface morphology on optical properties and performance of light emitting devices grown on freestanding GaN. As-grown freestanding HVPE GaN substrates show excellent AFM RMS and XRD FWHM values over the whole area, but distinctive features were observed on the surface, such as macro-pits, hillocks and facets extending over several millimeters. Electroluminescence measurements reveal a strong correlation of the performance and peak emission wavelength of LEDs with each of these observed surface features. This results in multiple peaks and non-uniform optical output power for LEDs on as-grown freestanding GaN substrates. Removal of these surface features by chemical mechanical polishing results in highly uniform peak wavelength and improved output power over the whole wafer area. (C) 2014 Author(s).