Shuji Nakamura recently developed the first commercially available blue and green light emitting diodes. Subsequently he demonstrated the first blue semiconductor laser based on GaN. GaN and its related compounds allow the fabrication of highly efficient light emitters and lasers ranging from red through yellow and green to blue in a single material system. In this book the physical concept and basic manufacturing technology of these new blue light emitting diodes and laser diodes are discussed. The breakthrough in GaN technology opens many new commercial applications for semiconductors, comprising displays, road and railway signalling, lighting, scanners, optical data storage, and much more. This book also gives information on the extraordinary realization of an extremely successful concept of research and development through Nakamura's work. The book appeals to researchers as well as to engineers.

In 1993, the author, Shuji Nakamura developed the first commercially available blue and green light-emitting diodes. Now he has made the most important breakthrough in solid state laser techniques to date - the first blue semiconductor laser based on GaN. Here, Dr. Nakamura discusses the physical concept and basic manufacturing technology of these new blue light-emitting and laser diodes. he shows how this represents a new era in commercial applications for semiconductors, including displays, road and railway signalling, lighting, scanners, optical data storage, and much more. Moreover, Nakamura provides fascinating background information on the extraordinary realisation of an extremely successful concept of research and development. Of interest to researchers as well as engineers.

1. Introduction.- 2. Background.- 3. Physics of Gallium Nitride and Related Compounds.- 4. GaN Growth.- 5. p-Type GaN Obtained by Electron Beam Irradiation.- 6. n-Type GaN.- 7. p-Type GaN.- 8. InGaN.- 9. Zn and Si Co-Doped InGaN/AlGaN Double-Heterostructure Blue and Blue-Green LEDs.- 10. InGaN Single-Quantum-Well LEDs.- 11. Room-Temperature Pulsed Operation of Laser Diodes.- 12. Emission Mechanisms of LEDs and LDs.- 13. Room Temperature CW Operation of InGaN MQW LDs.- 14. Latest Results: Lasers with Self-Organized InGaN Quantum Dots.- 15. Conclusions.- A. Biographies.- A.1 Shuji Nakamura.- A.2 Gerhard Fasol.- References.