Light outcoupling effect in GaN light-emitting diodes via convex microstructures monolithically fabricated on sapphire substrate

GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) was fabricated on the sapphire substrate with monolithic convex microstructures (CMs) array. Using confocal scanning electroluminescence (EL), we have directly observed the strong outcoupling phenomenon of the light confined in a LED via the CMs array. This outcoupled light could be efficiently converged on the convex center through consecutive reflections at the flat area and the curved slant area of the CMs array. Compared to the conventional LED, the ray tracing simulation and far field EL results of the LED with a CM array showed efficient light extraction toward the top surface, i.e., 0-5, 40-45 and 60-65 degree by the outcoupling effect. We conclude that the outcoupled optical path via CMs is the dominant factor of the enhanced light extraction in the LED with a CM array.