Ultraviolet polarized light emitting and detecting dual-functioning device based on nonpolar n-ZnO/i-ZnO/p-AlGaN heterojunction

We report on the demonstration of a 386 nm light emission and detection dual-functioning device based on nonpolar a-plane n-ZnO/i-ZnO/p-Al0.1Ga0.9N heterojunction under both forward and reverse bias. The electroluminescence intensity under reverse bias is significantly stronger than that under forward bias, facilitated by carrier tunneling when the valence band of p-AlGaN aligns with the conduction band of i-ZnO under reverse bias. Also amid reverse bias, the photodetection was observed and applied in a duplex optical communication device. Optical polarization of the light emission is studied for potential polarization-sensitive device applications. The proposed device provides an important pathway for the multifunctional devices operating in a UV spectrum.