Ultralong minority-carrier lifetime epitaxial GaAs by photon recycling

The minority-carrier lifetime has been measured by time-resolved photoluminescence in epitaxial films of GaAs grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The measured lifetimes in thicker devices are 4 to 6 times the theoretical or radiative lifetime. These long lifetimes are the result of photon recycling or self-generation of the self-absorbed radiation.