Brown/Purdue blue laser breaks Schottky barrier

17 Jun 2002

A key problem impeding the development of blue lasers made from II-VI seimconductors has been overcome by a team led Robert Gunshor at Purdue University and Arto Nurmikko at Brown University. The Schottky barrier-- a mismatch in conduction between the laser structure and a metal contacting electrode-- has contributed to poor electric contact in II-Vi laser devices, causing rapid overheating and failure of the laser.

The team achieved the breakthrough by forming a graded alloy of ZnSe and ZnTe that replaces the sharp barrier to conduction between the metal contact and ZnSe. A patent for this ohmic contact has been issued to Research Corporation Technologies (RCT), which is commercializing the technology for investors. RCT, an independent technology management organization, is pursuing additional US and foreign patents directed to the structure of ohmic contacts within II-VI lasers.