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Abstract This study showcases a method for achieving high-performance yellow and red micro-LEDs through precise control of indium content within quantum wells. By employing a hybrid quantum well structure with our six core technologies, we can accomplish outstanding external quantum efficiency (EQE) and robust stripe bandwidth. The resulting 30 μm × 8 micro-LED arrays exhibit maximum EQE values of 11.56% and 5.47% for yellow and red variants, respectively. Notably, the yellow micro-LED arrays achieve data rates exceeding 1 Gbit/s for non-return-to-zero on–off keying (NRZ-OOK) format and 1.5 Gbit/s for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) format. These findings underscore the significant potential of long-wavelength InGaN-based micro-LEDs, positioning them as highly promising candidates for both full-color microdisplays and visible light communication applications.

Abstract Free-space optical communications hold promising advantages, including a large bandwidth, access to license-free spectrum, high data rates, quick and simple deployment, low power consumption, and relaxed quality requirements. Nevertheless, key technical challenges remain, such as a higher transmission efficiency, a lower transmission loss, and a smaller form factor of optical systems. Here, we demonstrate the viability of circular-polarization-multiplexed multi-channel optical communication using metasurfaces alongside a photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) light source at wavelength of 940 nm. Through the light manipulation with metasurface, we split the linearly polarized incidence into left and right circular polarizations with desired diffraction angles. Such orthogonal polarization states provide a paradigm of polarization division multiplexing technique for light communication. The PCSEL light source maintains a low divergence angle of about 0.373 degrees after passing through an ultra-thin metasurface without further bulky collimator or light guide, making end-to-end (E2E) and device-to-device (D2D) communications available in a compact form. Both light source and modulated polarized light exhibit a − 3 dB bandwidth over 500 MHz, with successful 1 Gbit/s transmission demonstrated in eye diagrams. Our results affirm that metasurface effectively boosts transmission capacity without compromising the light source's inherent properties. Future metasurface designs could expand channel capacity, and its integration with PCSEL monolithically holds promise for reducing interface losses, thereby enhancing efficiency.

Abstract In this study, we have demonstrated the potential of InGaN-based red micro-LEDs with single quantum well (SQW) structure for visible light communication applications. Our findings indicate the SQW sample has a better crystal quality, with high-purity emission, a narrower full width at half maximum, and higher internal quantum efficiency, compared to InGaN red micro-LED with a double quantum wells (DQWs) structure. The InGaN red micro-LED with SQW structure exhibits a higher maximum external quantum efficiency of 5.95% and experiences less blueshift as the current density increases when compared to the DQWs device. Furthermore, the SQW device has a superior modulation bandwidth of 424 MHz with a data transmission rate of 800 Mbit/s at an injection current density of 2000 A/cm2. These results demonstrate that InGaN-based SQW red micro-LEDs hold great promise for realizing full-color micro-display and visible light communication applications.

This study introduces a novel approach for fabricating vertically stacked mini-LED arrays, integrating InGaN yellow and blue epitaxial layers with a stress buffer layer to enhance optoelectronic characteristics and structural stability. This method significantly simplifies the LED design by reducing the need for RGB configurations, thus lowering costs and system complexity. Employing vertical stacking integration technology, the design achieves high-density, efficient white light production suitable for multifunctional applications, including automotive lighting and outdoor signage. Experimental results demonstrate the exceptional performance of the stacked yellow and blue mini-LEDs in terms of luminous efficiency, wavelength precision, and thermal stability. The study also explores the performance of these LEDs under varying temperature conditions and their long-term reliability, indicating that InGaN-based yellow LEDs offer superior performance over traditional AlGaInP yellow LEDs, particularly in high-temperature environments. This technology promises significant advancements in the design and application of lighting systems, with potential implications for both automotive and general illumination markets.

Abstract This study conducts comprehensive performance analyses of a commercial photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) via small-signal measurement and the bit-error-rate test. Meanwhile, the radio frequency characteristics of the PCSEL are unveiled for the first time. Compared to the vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, the PCSEL shows great potential for a broader optical bandwidth that is benefited from the high optical-confinement factor. A maximum bandwidth of around 2.32 GHz is experimentally observed when the PCSEL was biased at 340 mA. Moreover, a theoretical calculation was applied to shed light on the characteristics of the small-signal measurement, providing a deep insight into the corresponding intrinsic response model. The signal transmission capability of the PCSEL was investigated as well. The maximum bit rate and corresponding rise time transmitted at 500 Mbps are 1.2 Gbps and 186.16 ps, respectively. Thus, a high-speed PCSEL can be realised with a shrunk form factor, serving as a promising candidate for the next-generation light sources in high-speed optical communication.

Although microscopic techniques have been used to characterize transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), direct observation of charge carrier dynamics distribution in TMDs with diverse shapes remains unexplored. Herein, ultrafast pump–probe microscopy (UPPM) is employed to reveal the carrier dynamics distribution in molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayer of four shapes: triangular (t‐MoS2), curved triangular (c‐MoS2), triangular (t‐WS2), and hexagonal (h‐WS2). Monitoring the photon transmission T at 1.55 eV after pumping with a photon energy of 3.1 eV, a negative ΔT/T occurs in t‐MoS2 and c‐MoS2, while a positive ΔT/T is detected in t‐WS2 and h‐WS2 after 3–7 ps time evolution. This distinctive behavior is attributed to deep/shallow defects below the conduction band minimum (CBM) in MoS2 and WS2. Spatial‐independent ΔT/T is observed in t‐MoS2 and t‐WS2, while the ΔT/T in c‐MoS2 has a rapid decay of photoexcited carriers at the vertices and curved edges. Additionally, a threefold symmetry of ΔT/T is revealed in h‐WS2, attributed to the dissimilar occupation of defect states near the h‐WS2 CBM. This work paves the way for examining charge carrier dynamics of various shapes of TMDs and provides a unique microscopic method for studying the charge carrier dynamics in emerging TMDs heterostructures.

Visible light communication (VLC), which will primarily support high-speed internet connectivity in the contemporary world, has progressively come to be recognized as a significant alternative and reinforcement in the wireless communication area. VLC has become more popular recently because of its many advantages over conventional radio frequencies, including a higher transmission rate, high bandwidth, low power consumption, fewer health risks, and reduced interference. Due to its high-bandwidth characteristics and potential to be used for both illumination and communications, micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) have drawn a lot of attention for their use in VLC applications. In this review, a detailed overview of micro-LEDs that have long emission wavelengths for VLC is presented, along with their related challenges and future prospects. The VLC performance of micro-LEDs is influenced by a number of factors, including the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE), size-dependent effect, and droop effect, which are discussed in the following sections. When these elements are combined, it has a major impact on the performance of micro-LEDs in terms of their modulation bandwidth, wavelength shift, full-width at half maximum (FWHM), light output power, and efficiency. The possible challenges faced in the use of micro-LEDs were analyzed through a simulation conducted using Crosslight Apsys software and the results were compared with the previous reported results. We also provide a brief overview of the phenomena, underlying theories, and potential possible solutions to these issues. Furthermore, we provide a brief discussion regarding micro-LEDs that have emission wavelengths ranging from yellow–green to red colors. We highlight the notable bandwidth enhancement for this paradigm and anticipate some exciting new research directions. Overall, this review paper provides a brief overview of the performance of VLC-based systems based on micro-LEDs and some of their possible applications.

The monolithic integration of InGaN-based micro-LEDs is being of interest toward developing full-color micro-displays. However, the color stability in InGaN red micro-LED is an issue that needs to be addressed. In this study, the modified distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) were designed to reduce the transmission of undesired spectra. The calculated optical properties of the InGaN red micro-LEDs with conventional and modified DBRs have been analyzed, respectively. The CIE 1931 color space and the encoded 8-bit RGB values are exhibited for the quantitative assessment of color stability. The results suggest the modified DBRs can effectively reduce the color shift, paving the way for developing full-color InGaN-based micro-LED displays.