Efficient GaAs light-emitting diodes by photon recycling

Heterostructure AlGaAs/GaAs light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a thick active region have shown high external efficiencies, thanks to reabsorption in the active region. For high injection currents and low temperature, we report a 22% efficiency which corresponds to a 98% efficiency internally. We discuss the application of such LED when integrated with a quantum-well infrared photodetector for pixelless thermal imaging systems.