Luminescence of Donor-acceptor-pair in Fluorescent 4H-SiC Doped with Nitrogen, Boron and Aluminum

Fluorescent 4H-SiC, co-doped with donor and acceptor impurities, can work as phosphor for visible light emission by recombination. Donor concentration and acceptor impurities are two important factors which influence luminescent properties of fluorescent 4H-SiC. In this study, 3 inch N-B-Al co-doped 4H-SiC crystals were prepared by physical vapor transport method. Crystalline type and N-B-Al concentration of the doped 4H-SiC were measured by Raman spectrum and secondary ion mass spectra. Influences of doping concentrations on the photoluminescence were studied by photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, luminescence decay curves, and internal and external quantum efficiencies. It is found that p-type fluorescent 4H-SiC with low Al doping concentration shows intensive yellow-green fluorescence at room temperature. Heavily doped N and B and lightly doped Al in 4H-SiC produce enough electron hole pairs for the recombination. This sufficient recombination enhances internal quantum efficiency of fluorescent 4H-SiC. Furthermore, the recombination is also helpful to increase their photoluminescence intensity and average fluorescence lifetime.