Data are presented showing that it is possible to optically couple a semiconductor quantum well to a mirror, and thus influence its spontaneous emission lifetime, for mirror to quantum well spacings of less than an optical wavelength. Light emitting diodes with various mirror to quantum well spacings corresponding to quantum well placement at either interference nodes or antinodes are characterised in terms of light output efficiency and frequency response. © 1990, The Institution of Electrical Engineers. All rights reserved.
