Efficient narrow-band light emission from a single carbon nanotube p-n diode

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates efficient, narrow-band electroluminescence from single carbon nanotube p-n diodes, achieving high efficiency, low power dissipation, and spectral resolution of excitonic emissions, advancing nano-scale optoelectronic devices.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for electrically inducing light emission in individual carbon nanotube p-n diodes with improved control and reduced power consumption.

Findings

Reduced power dissipation by up to 1000 times

Achieved zero threshold current and negligible self-heating

Electroluminescent spectra narrowed to about 35 meV

Abstract

Electrically-driven light emission from carbon nanotubes could be exploited in nano-scale lasers and single-photon sources, and has therefore been the focus of much research. However, to date, high electric fields and currents have been either required for electroluminescence, or have been an undesired side effect, leading to high power requirements and low efficiencies. In addition, electroluminescent linewidths have been broad enough to obscure the contributions of individual optical transitions. Here, we report electrically-induced light emission from individual carbon nanotube p-n diodes. A new level of control over electrical carrier injection is achieved, reducing power dissipation by a factor of up to 1000, and resulting in zero threshold current, negligible self-heating, and high carrier-to- photon conversion efficiencies. Moreover, the electroluminescent spectra are significantly narrower (ca. 35 meV) than in previous studies, allowing the identification of emission from free and localized excitons.