Illumination devices using externally interconnected arrays of light emitting devices, and methods of fabricating same

• US 10,586,787 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Negley, Gerald H., Van De Ven, Antony Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Reames, Matthew L
• Application Number:
  US12/017,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,431 Days
• Field of Search: 257 88- 94, 315193
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/2654 in AIIIBV compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0756 Stacked arrangements of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/153 in a repetitive configuration, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/156 two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/04 with a quantum effect structure or superlattice, e.g. tunnel junction
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/145 with a current-blocking structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/32 containing nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/38 with a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/382 the electrode extending partially in or entirely through the semiconductor body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/385 the electrode extending at least partially onto a side surface of the semiconductor body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/44 characterised by the coatings, e.g. passivation layer or anti-reflective coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/62 Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology

Abstract

A light emitter, comprising light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a common substrate and an interconnection submount. The light emitting devices are electrically interconnected by the submount to provide an array of serially connected subsets of light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices electrically connected in parallel. Also, a light emitter comprising first light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate, and second light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a second common substrate, the first light emitting devices being mechanically and electrically connected to the second light emitting devices. Also, a light emitter comprising mechanically interconnected light emitting devices and means for mechanically and electrically interconnecting the plurality of light emitting devices to provide an array of serially connected subsets of light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices electrically connected in parallel. Also, methods of fabricating light emitters.

Claims

1. A high voltage light emitter, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting devices on a substrate; and

an interconnection submount to which the plurality of light emitting devices are electrically connected;

wherein the light emitting devices are electrically interconnected by the interconnection submount to provide an array of at least two serially connected subsets of light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices electrically connected in parallel within the subset,

the interconnection submount comprising at least a first interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern electrically connected to respective cathodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a first subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a second subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern extending sequentially;

from a cathode of a first light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a first light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a second light emitting device in the first subset,

from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a second light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a third light emitting device in the first subset,

and from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a third light emitting device in the second subset.

2. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein fewer than all of the plurality of light emitting devices are electrically interconnected in the array of light emitting devices.

3. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein the interconnection submount further comprises:

a submount substrate; and

an insulator layer on the submount.

4. The high voltage light emitter of claim 3, wherein the interconnection submount further comprises a mirrored layer disposed between the submount substrate and the insulator layer.

5. The high voltage light emitter of claim 4, wherein all of the electrical interconnections of light emitting devices are provided by the pattern of electrically conductive elements.

6. The high voltage light emitter of claim 3, wherein a portion of the interconnections of light emitting devices is provided by the pattern of electrically conductive elements and a portion of the interconnections are provided by conductive elements on the substrate of the plurality of light emitting devices.

7. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein the light emitting devices comprise light emitting diode devices.

8. The high voltage light emitter of claim 7, wherein the light emitting diode devices are isolated from one another by at least one insulating region.

9. The high voltage light emitter of claim 7, wherein the light emitting diode devices are isolated from one another by at least one trench.

10. The high voltage light emitter of claim 7, wherein the light emitting diode devices comprise lateral devices and/or vertical devices and have both cathode and anode connections on a same side of the light emitting diode devices.

11. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices have different sizes and/or shapes.

12. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically interconnected by a common substrate on which the light emitting devices were formed.

13. The high voltage light emitter of claim 1, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the first light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset,

and the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the third light emitting device in the second subset.

14. The high voltage light emitter of claim 13, wherein:

the first light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the second light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the third light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the first light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the second light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset,

the third light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the second subset, and

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the second subset.

15. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact, and

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices.

16. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices.

17. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises a cathode contact, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

18. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

19. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices,

the interconnection submount comprises a plurality of interconnection patterns comprising said first interconnection pattern, a second interconnection pattern and a third interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices,

the second interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in the second subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a third subset of light emitting devices,

the third interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the third subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a fourth subset of light emitting devices.

20. A high voltage light emitter, comprising:

a first plurality of light emitting devices on a first substrate; and

an interconnection submount to which the plurality of light emitting devices are electrically connected, the interconnection submount having electrical circuitry thereon; and

wherein the light emitting devices are electrically interconnected by the interconnection submount to provide a series of parallel-connected subsets of light emitting devices, in which for each parallel-connected subset of light emitting devices, the light emitting devices are electrically connected in parallel within the subset,

the interconnection submount comprising at least a first interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern electrically connected to respective cathodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a first subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a second subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern extending sequentially;

from a cathode of a first light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a first light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a second light emitting device in the first subset,

from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a second light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a third light emitting device in the first subset,

and from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a third light emitting device in the second subset.

21. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the array comprises at least two serially connected subsets of light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices electrically connected in parallel within the subset.

22. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the light emitting devices.

23. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises light emitting devices other than the plurality of light emitting devices on the substrate.

24. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises:

light emitting devices other than the first plurality of light emitting devices on the first substrate; and

power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the light emitting devices.

25. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices have different sizes and/or shapes.

26. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a plurality of fuses configured to selectively isolate failing ones of the plurality of light emitting devices.

27. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein the first plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the light emitting devices were formed.

28. The high voltage light emitter of claim 20, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the first light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset,

and the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the third light emitting device in the second subset.

29. The high voltage light emitter of claim 28, wherein each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices, the second subset of light emitting devices and the last-in-series subset of light emitting devices has an anode contact and a cathode contact on opposite corners of the light emitting device:

the first light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the second light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the third light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the first light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the second light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset,

the third light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the second subset, and

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the second subset.

30. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 20, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact, and

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices.

31. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 20, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices.

32. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 20, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises a cathode contact, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

33. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 20, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

34. A high voltage light emitter as recited in claim 20, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices,

the interconnection submount comprises a plurality of interconnection patterns comprising said first interconnection pattern, a second interconnection pattern and a third interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices,

the second interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in the second subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a third subset of light emitting devices,

the third interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the third subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a fourth subset of light emitting devices.

35. A method of fabricating a high voltage light emitter, comprising:

providing a first plurality of light emitting devices on a first substrate;

providing an interconnection submount, the interconnection submount having electrical circuitry thereon; and

mounting the first substrate on the interconnection submount to electrically connect the light emitting devices to provide an array comprising a series of subsets of parallel-connected light emitting devices, in which for each subset of parallel-connected light emitting devices, the light emitting devices are electrically connected in parallel within the subset,

the interconnection submount comprising at least a first interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern electrically connected to respective cathodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a first subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a second subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern extending sequentially;

from a cathode of a first light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a first light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a second light emitting device in the first subset,

from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a second light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a third light emitting device in the first subset,

and from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a third light emitting device in the second subset.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the light emitting devices were formed.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the first light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset,

and the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the third light emitting device in the second subset.

38. The high voltage light emitter of claim 37, wherein:

the first light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the second light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the third light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the first light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the second light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset,

the third light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the second subset, and

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the second subset.

39. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact, and

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices.

40. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices.

41. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises a cathode contact, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

42. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

43. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices,

the interconnection submount comprises a plurality of interconnection patterns comprising said first interconnection pattern, a second interconnection pattern and a third interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices,

the second interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in the second subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a third subset of light emitting devices,

the third interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the third subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a fourth subset of light emitting devices.

44. A light emitter, comprising:

a first n-type layer;

a first p-type layer;

a first n-type contact;

a second n-type contact;

a third n-type contact;

a fourth n-type contact;

a fifth n-type contact;

a sixth n-type contact;

a first p-type contact;

a second p-type contact;

a third p-type contact;

a fourth p-type contact;

a fifth p-type contact;

a sixth p-type contact; and

at least a first interconnection element,

the first n-type layer comprising a first n-type region, a second n-type region, a third n-type region, a fourth n-type region, a fifth n-type region, and a sixth n-type region,

the first n-type region, the second n-type region, the third n-type region, the fourth n-type region, the fifth n-type region, and the sixth n-type region do not directly contact each other,

the first p-type layer comprising a first p-type region, a second p-type region, a third p-type region, a fourth p-type region, a fifth p-type region, and a sixth p-type region,

the first p-type region, the second p-type region, the third p-type region, the fourth p-type region, the fifth p-type region, and the sixth p-type region do not directly contact each other,

the first n-type region and the first p-type region together comprising a first light emitting device,

the second n-type region and the second p-type region together comprising a second light emitting device,

the third n-type region and the third p-type region together comprising a third light emitting device,

the fourth n-type region and the fourth p-type region together comprising a fourth light emitting device,

the fifth n-type region and the fifth p-type region together comprising a fifth light emitting device,

the sixth n-type region and the sixth p-type region together comprising a sixth light emitting device,

the first n-type contact electrically connected to the first n-type region,

the second n-type contact electrically connected to the second n-type region,

the third n-type contact electrically connected to the third n-type region,

the fourth n-type contact electrically connected to the fourth n-type region,

the fifth n-type contact electrically connected to the fifth n-type region,

the sixth n-type contact electrically connected to the sixth n-type region,

the first p-type contact electrically connected to the first p-type region,

the second p-type contact electrically connected to the second p-type region,

the third p-type contact electrically connected to the third p-type region,

the fourth p-type contact electrically connected to the fourth p-type region,

the fifth p-type contact electrically connected to the fifth p-type region,

the sixth p-type contact electrically connected to the sixth p-type region,

the first interconnection element comprising a first interconnection element first p-type contact, a first interconnection element second p-type contact, a first interconnection element third p-type contact, a first interconnection element fourth p-type contact, a first interconnection element fifth p-type contact, a first interconnection element sixth p-type contact, a first interconnection element first n-type contact, a first interconnection element second n-type contact, a first interconnection element third n-type contact, a first interconnection element fourth n-type contact, a first interconnection element fifth n-type contact, and a first interconnection element sixth n-type contact,

the first interconnection element first p-type contact electrically connected to the first p-type contact,

the first interconnection element second p-type contact electrically connected to the second p-type contact,

the first interconnection element third p-type contact electrically connected to and the third p-type contact,

the first interconnection element fourth p-type contact electrically connected to the fourth p-type contact,

the first interconnection element fifth p-type contact electrically connected to the fifth p-type contact,

the first interconnection element sixth p-type contact electrically connected to the sixth p-type contact,

the first interconnection element first n-type contact electrically connected to the first n-type, contact,

the first interconnection element second n-type contact electrically connected to the second n-type, contact,

the first interconnection element third n-type contact electrically connected to the third n-type, contact,

the first interconnection element fourth n-type contact electrically connected to the fourth n-type, contact,

the first interconnection element fifth n-type contact electrically connected to the fifth n-type, contact,

the first interconnection element sixth n-type contact electrically connected to the sixth n-type, contact,

the first light emitting device electrically in parallel with the second light emitting device,

the first light emitting device electrically in parallel with the third light emitting device,

the second light emitting device electrically in parallel with the third light emitting device,

the fourth light emitting device electrically in parallel with the fifth light emitting device,

the fourth light emitting device electrically in parallel with the sixth light emitting device, and

the fifth light emitting device electrically in parallel with the sixth light emitting device,

a contact surface of the first n-type contact, a contact surface of the second n-type contact, a contact surface of the third n-type region contact, a contact surface of the fourth n-type contact, a contact surface of the fifth n-type contact, and a contact surface of the sixth n-type contact are all substantially coplanar with a first plane,

a contact surface of the first p-type contact, a contact surface of the second p-type contact, a contact surface of the third p-type contact, a contact surface of the fourth p-type contact, a contact surface of the fifth p-type contact, and a contact surface of the sixth p-type contact are all substantially coplanar with a second plane,

a contact surface of the first interconnection element first n-type contact, a contact surface of the first interconnection element second n-type contact, and a contact surface of the first interconnection element third n-type contact are all substantially coplanar with a third plane,

a contact surface of the first interconnection element first p-type contact, a contact surface of the first interconnection element second p-type contact and a contact surface of the first interconnection element third p-type contact are all substantially coplanar with a fourth plane,

the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane, and

the first plane is spaced from the second plane.

45. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

46. The light emitter of claim 45, wherein said light emitter further comprises:

a second n-type layer;

a second p-type layer; and

a second interconnection element,

the second n-type layer comprising a seventh n-type region, an eighth n-type region, a ninth n-type region, a tenth n-type region, a eleventh n-type region, and a twelfth n-type region,

the seventh n-type region, the eighth n-type region, the ninth n-type region, the tenth n-type region, the eleventh n-type region, and the twelfth n-type region isolated from each other,

the second p-type layer comprising a seventh p-type region, an eighth p-type region, a ninth p-type region, a tenth p-type region, a eleventh p-type region, and a twelfth p-type region,

the seventh p-type region, the eighth p-type region, the ninth p-type region, the tenth p-type region, the eleventh p-type region, and the twelfth p-type region isolated from each other,

the seventh n-type region and the seventh p-type region together comprising a seventh light emitting device,

the eighth n-type region and the eighth p-type region together comprising a eighth light emitting device,

the ninth n-type region and the ninth p-type region together comprising a ninth light emitting device,

the tenth n-type region and the tenth p-type region together comprising a tenth light emitting device,

the eleventh n-type region and the eleventh p-type region together comprising a eleventh light emitting device,

the twelfth n-type region and the twelfth p-type region together comprising a twelfth light emitting device,

the second interconnection element comprising at least a second interconnection element seventh n-type contact, a second interconnection element eighth n-type contact, a second interconnection element ninth n-type contact, a second interconnection element seventh p-type contact, a second interconnection element eighth p-type contact, and a second interconnection element ninth p-type contact,

the second interconnection element seventh n-type contact electrically connected to the seventh n-type region,

the second interconnection element eighth n-type contact electrically connected to the eighth n-type region,

the second interconnection element ninth n-type contact electrically connected to the ninth n-type region,

the second interconnection element seventh p-type contact electrically connected to the tenth p-type region,

the second interconnection element eighth p-type contact electrically connected to the eleventh p-type region,

the second interconnection element ninth p-type contact electrically connected to the twelfth p-type region,

the second interconnection element seventh n-type contact electrically connected to the second interconnection element eighth n-type contact, the second interconnection element ninth n-type contact, the second interconnection element seventh p-type contact, the second interconnection element eighth p-type contact, and the second interconnection element ninth p-type contact.

47. The light emitter of claim 45, wherein said light emitter further comprises a rectifying bridge.

48. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

49. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

50. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate layer, the first n-type layer and the first p-type layer between the substrate layer and the first interconnection element.

51. The light emitter of claim 50, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices and/or at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

52. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate layer, the substrate layer between the first p-type layer and the first interconnection element.

53. The light emitter of claim 52, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

54. The light emitter of claim 52, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

55. The light emitter of claim 44, wherein:

the first n-type layer is a monolithic n-type layer; and

the first p-type layer is a monolithic p-type layer.

56. A method of fabricating a high voltage light emitter, comprising:

providing a plurality of light emitting devices on a substrate; and

mounting the substrate on an interconnection submount to electrically connect the plurality of light emitting devices,

wherein the light emitting devices are electrically interconnected by the interconnection submount to provide an array of at least two serially connected subsets of light emitting devices, each subset comprising at least three light emitting devices electrically connected in parallel within the subset,

the interconnection submount comprising at least a first interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern electrically connected to respective cathodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a first subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of each of at least three light emitting devices in a second subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern extending sequentially;

from a cathode of a first light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a first light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a second light emitting device in the first subset,

from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a second light emitting device in the second subset,

from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to a cathode of a third light emitting device in the first subset,

and from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to an anode of a third light emitting device in the second subset.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically interconnected by a common substrate on which the light emitting devices were formed.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the first light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the first light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the second light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset,

the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the anode of the second light emitting device in the second subset to the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset,

and the first interconnection pattern extends diagonally from the cathode of the third light emitting device in the first subset to the anode of the third light emitting device in the second subset.

59. The high voltage light emitter of claim 58, wherein:

the first light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the second light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the third light emitting diode in the first subset further comprises an anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the first light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the second light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset,

the third light emitting diode in the second subset further comprises a cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the first subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the first subset,

the anode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the first light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the first light emitting diode in the second subset,

the anode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the second light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the second light emitting diode in the second subset, and

the anode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset and the cathode of the third light emitting diode in the second subset are on opposite corners of the third light emitting diode in the second subset.

60. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact, and

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices.

61. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein:

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices.

62. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises a cathode contact, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

63. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices, and

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices.

64. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein:

the interconnection submount further comprises an anode contact and a cathode contact,

the anode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective anodes of each light emitting device in the first subset of light emitting devices,

the cathode contact comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in a last-in-series subset of light emitting devices, the last-in-series subset comprising at least three light emitting devices,

the interconnection submount comprises a plurality of interconnection patterns comprising said first interconnection pattern, a second interconnection pattern and a third interconnection pattern,

the first interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of said respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the first subset of light emitting devices and to each of said respective anodes of light emitting devices in the second subset of light emitting devices,

the second interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to respective cathodes of each light emitting device in the second subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a third subset of light emitting devices,

the third interconnection pattern comprises a continuous electrically conductive contact electrically connected to each of respective cathodes of light emitting devices in the third subset of light emitting devices and to respective anodes of light emitting devices in a fourth subset of light emitting devices.