Lighting for the 21st century with laser diodes based on non-basal plane orientations of GaN

More than two decades of III-N materials research has led to the production of visible spectrum commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs). Commercial c-plane LEDs are currently limited by efficiency droop which describes the decline in efficiency with increasing input current density. Laser-based sources, however, provide peak efficiencies at much higher current densities and may circumvent efficiency droop limitations. The potential benefits of non-basal plane (NBP) orientations could accelerate the evolution of solid-state lighting from LED to LD sources. Here, we review the progress in long-wavelength (440–590 nm) NBP quantum well LD research and discuss applications in solid-state lighting, visible light communication and smart lighting.