ILLUMINATION DEVICES USING EXTERNALLY INTERCONNECTED ARRAYS OF LIGHT EMITTING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF FABRICATING SAME

• US 20080211416A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: VAN DE VEN, Antony Paul, NEGLEY, Gerald H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,586,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/193
• 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 mechanically interconnected by a common substrate on which the light emitting devices are formed; and

an interconnection submount to which the plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically and 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.

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 comprises:

a submount substrate;

an insulator layer on the submount; and

a pattern of electrically conductive elements on the insulator layer and configured to interconnect respective contacts of the light emitting devices into the array of light emitting devices.

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 common 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. A high voltage light emitter, comprising:

a first plurality of light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the light emitting devices are formed; and

an interconnection submount to which the plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically and 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.

13. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, 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.

14. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the light emitting devices.

15. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises light emitting devices other than the plurality of light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by the common substrate.

16. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises:

light emitting devices other than the first plurality of light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by the first common substrate; and

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

17. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices have different sizes and/or shapes.

18. The high voltage light emitter of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a plurality of fuses configured to selectively isolate failing ones of the plurality of light emitting devices.

19. A high voltage light emitter comprising:

a plurality of first light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the first light emitting devices are formed; and

a plurality of second light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a second common substrate on which the second light emitting devices are formed,

wherein the first plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically and electrically connected to the second plurality of light emitting devices.

20. The high voltage light emitter of claim 19, wherein the first and second light emitting devices are electrically interconnected to provide an array comprising a series of parallel-connected light emitting devices.

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.

22. The high voltage light emitter of claim 21, wherein the light emitting devices comprise light emitting diode devices.

23. The high voltage light emitter of claim 22, wherein the light emitting diode devices are vertical light emitting diode devices.

24. The high voltage light emitter of claim 22, wherein the light emitting diode devices are lateral light emitting diode devices.

25. The high voltage light emitter of claim 19, further comprising:

a plurality of third light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a third common substrate on which the third light emitting devices are formed,

wherein the third plurality of light emitting devices are mechanically and electrically connected to the second plurality of light emitting devices.

26. The high voltage light emitter of claim 19, wherein the first and/or second plurality of light emitting devices have different sizes and/or shapes.

27. A high voltage light emitter, comprising:

a plurality of mechanically interconnected light emitting devices; and

means for mechanically and electrically interconnecting the plurality of light emitting devices 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.

28. The high voltage light emitter of claim 27, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

29. The high voltage light emitter of claim 27, further comprising means for selectively interconnecting the plurality of light emitting devices such that fewer than all of the plurality of light emitting devices are interconnected in the array.

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

providing a first plurality of light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the light emitting devices are formed;

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

mounting the first common substrate on the interconnection submount to mechanically and electrically connect the light emitting devices to provide an array comprising a series of parallel-connected light emitting devices.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the method further comprises testing at least one of the light emitting devices.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the method further comprises testing at least one of the light emitting devices and electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices from the light emitting device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices is carried out by etching an anode contact or a cathode contact of one of the light emitting devices.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices is carried out by applying insulating material on an anode contact or a cathode contact of one of the light emitting devices.

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

providing a plurality of first light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a first common substrate on which the first light emitting devices are formed;

providing a plurality of second light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a second common substrate on which the second light emitting devices are formed; and

mounting the first plurality of light emitting devices on the second plurality of light emitting devices to electrically and mechanically interconnect the first plurality of light emitting devices and the second plurality of light emitting devices.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises testing at least one of the light emitting devices.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises testing at least one of the light emitting devices and electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices from the light emitting device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices is carried out by etching an anode contact or a cathode contact of one of the light emitting devices.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of electrically disconnecting one of the light emitting devices is carried out by applying insulating material on an anode contact or a cathode contact of one of the light emitting devices.

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

testing respective ones of a plurality of light emitting devices on a common substrate to determine if a respective one has a short circuit failure;

isolating ones of the plurality of light emitting devices that are determined to have a short circuit failure; and

mounting the plurality of light emitting devices on an interconnection submount so as to electrically connect the non-isolated ones of the plurality of light emitting devices.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the electrical connection comprises connecting the non-isolated ones of the plurality of light emitting devices into an array of serially connected parallel subsets of the plurality of light emitting devices.

42. A light emitter, comprising:

a first monolithic n-type layer;

a first monolithic p-type layer; and

at least a first interconnection element,

the first monolithic 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 each being isolated from each other,

the first monolithic 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 each being isolated from 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 interconnection element comprising at least an interconnection element first n-type contact, an interconnection element second n-type contact, an interconnection element third n-type contact, an interconnection element first p-type contact, an interconnection element second p-type contact, and an interconnection element third p-type contact,

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

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

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

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

the interconnection element second p-type contact being electrically connected to the fifth p-type region,

the interconnection element third p-type contact being electrically connected to the sixth p-type region, and

the interconnection element first n-type contact being electrically connected to the interconnection element second n-type contact, the interconnection element third n-type contact, the interconnection element first p-type contact, the interconnection element second p-type contact, and the interconnection element third p-type contact.

43. The light emitter of claim 42, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

44. The light emitter of claim 43, wherein said light emitter further comprises:

a eighth monolithic n-type layer;

a eighth monolithic p-type layer; and

a eighth interconnection element,

the eighth monolithic n-type layer comprising a seventh n-type region, a 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 each being isolated from each other,

the eighth monolithic p-type layer comprising a seventh p-type region, a 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 each being 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 eighth interconnection element comprising at least an interconnection element seventh n-type contact, an interconnection element eighth n-type contact, an interconnection element ninth n-type contact, an interconnection element seventh p-type contact, an interconnection element eighth p-type contact, and an interconnection element ninth p-type contact,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

45. The light emitter of claim 43, wherein said light emitter further comprises a rectifying bridge.

46. The light emitter of claim 42, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

47. The light emitter of claim 42, 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.

48. The light emitter of claim 42, wherein:

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

a contact surface of the first p-type region, a contact surface of the second p-type region, a contact surface of the third p-type region, a contact surface of the fourth p-type region, a contact surface of the fifth p-type region, and a contact surface of the sixth p-type region 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, and

the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane, the second plane is substantially parallel to the third plane, and the third plane is substantially parallel to the fourth plane.

49. The light emitter of claim 42, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate layer, the first n-type layer and the first p-type layer being positioned between the substrate layer and the first interconnection element.

50. The light emitter of claim 49, 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.

51. The light emitter of claim 42, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate layer, the substrate layer being positioned between the first p-type layer and the first interconnection element.

52. The light emitter of claim 51, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

53. The light emitter of claim 51, 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.

54. A light emitter comprising an n-type layer and a p-type layer,

the 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 each being isolated from each other by at least one isolation region,

the 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 each being isolated from each other by the at least one isolation region,

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 light emitter further comprising a first p-contact which extends through at least part of at least one of the at least one isolation region, the first p-contact being electrically connected to the first p-type region, and

the light emitter further comprising a second p-contact which extends through at least part of at least one of the at least one isolation region, the second p-contact being electrically connected to the fourth p-type region.

55. The light emitter of claim 54, wherein the n-type layer is a monolithic layer, and the p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

56. The light emitter of claim 54, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

57. The light emitter of claim 54, wherein the first p-contact is also electrically connected to the second p-type region and the third p-type region, and the second p-contact is also electrically connected to the fifth p-type region and the sixth p-type region.

58. The light emitter of claim 54, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

59. The light emitter of claim 54, 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.

60. The light emitter of claim 54, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate, the n-type layer and the p-type layer being provided on the substrate.

61. A light emitter comprising an n-type layer and a p-type layer,

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

the first n-type region, the second n-type region, and the third n-type region each being isolated from each other by at least one isolation region,

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

the first p-type region, the second p-type region, and the third p-type region each being isolated from each other by the at least one isolation region,

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, and

the first light emitter further comprising a first p-contact which extends through at least part of at least one of the at least one isolation region, the first p-contact being electrically connected to the first p-type region.

62. The light emitter of claim 61, wherein the n-type layer is a monolithic layer, and the p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

63. The light emitter of claim 61, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

64. The light emitter of claim 61, wherein the first p-contact is also electrically connected to the second p-type region and the third p-type region.

65. The light emitter of claim 61, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

66. The light emitter of claim 61, 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.

67. The light emitter of claim 61, wherein the light emitter further comprises a substrate, the n-type layer and the p-type layer being provided on the substrate.

68. The light emitter of claim 67, wherein the n-type layer is a monolithic layer, and the p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

69. A lighting element comprising:

a first light emitter;

a second light emitter; and

an interconnection element;

the first light emitter comprising a first n-type layer and a first p-type layer,

the first n-type layer comprising a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region,

the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region, and the first light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other by at least one first light emitter isolation region,

the first light emitter p-type layer comprising a first light emitter first p-type region, a first light emitter second p-type region, and a first light emitter third p-type region,

the first light emitter first p-type region, the first light emitter second p-type region, and the first light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other by the at least one first light emitter isolation region,

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

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

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

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter first p-contact which extends through at least part of at least one of the at least one first light emitter isolation region, the first light emitter first p-contact being electrically connected to the first light emitter first p-type region,

the second light emitter comprising a second n-type layer and a second p-type layer,

the second n-type layer comprising a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region,

the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region, and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other by at least one second light emitter isolation region,

the second light emitter p-type layer comprising a second light emitter first p-type region, a second light emitter second p-type region, and a second light emitter third p-type region,

the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region, and the second light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other by the at least one second light emitter isolation region,

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

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

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

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter first p-contact which extends through at least part of the second light emitter isolation region, and

the interconnection element providing;

electrical connection between the first light emitter first n-type region and the second light emitter first p-type region,

electrical connection between the first light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter second p-type region, and

electrical connection between the first light emitter third n-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region.

70. The lighting element of claim 69, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

71. The lighting element of claim 69, wherein the interconnection element is positioned between the first light emitter and the second light emitter.

72. The light element of claim 69, wherein the first light emitter and the second light emitter are positioned to a same side of the interconnection element.

73. The light emitter of claim 72, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

74. The lighting element of claim 69, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

75. The lighting element of claim 69, 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.

76. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter; and

a second light emitter,

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter n-type layer and a first light emitter p-type layer,

the first light emitter n-type layer comprising a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region, the first n-type region, the second n-type region and the third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the first light emitter p-type layer comprising a first light emitter first p-type region, a first light emitter second p-type region and a first light emitter third p-type region, the first p-type region, the second p-type region and the third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter n-type layer and a second light emitter p-type layer,

the second light emitter n-type layer comprising a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region, the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the second light emitter p-type layer comprising a second light emitter first p-type region, a second light emitter second p-type region and a second light emitter third p-type region, the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the first light emitter first n-type region being electrically connected to the second light emitter first p-type region,

the first light emitter second n-type region being electrically connected to the second light emitter second p-type region,

the first light emitter third n-type region being electrically connected to the second light emitter third n-type region,

the first light emitter first n-type region being electrically connected to the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter third n-type region,

the second light emitter first n-type region being electrically connected to the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region, and

the first light emitter and the second light emitter are positioned relative to each other such that the first light emitting device first n-type region faces the second light emitting device first p-type region, the first light emitting device second n-type region faces the second light emitting device second p-type region, and the first light emitting device third n-type region faces the second light emitting device third p-type region.

77. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

78. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

79. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein the lighting device further comprises a first conductive region, a second conductive region and a third conductive region,

the first conductive region being positioned between the first light emitting device first n-type region and the second light emitting device first p-type region,

the second conductive region being positioned between the first light emitting device second n-type region and the second light emitting device second p-type region, and

the third conductive region being positioned between the first light emitting device third n-type region and the second light emitting device third p-type region.

80. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein a surface of the first light emitter n-type layer and a surface of the second light emitter p-type layer are substantially parallel to each other.

81. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein the lighting device further comprises an n-contact which is electrically connected to the first light emitting device first n-type region, the first light emitting device second n-type region and the first light emitting device third n-type region.

82. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein the lighting device further comprises a p-contact which is electrically connected to the second light emitting device first p-type region, the second light emitting device second p-type region and the second light emitting device third p-type region.

83. The lighting device of claim 76, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

84. The lighting device of claim 76, 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.

85. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter; and

a second light emitter,

the first light emitter comprising a first n-type layer and a first p-type layer,

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

the second light emitter comprising a second n-type layer and a second p-type layer,

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

the first n-type layer being electrically connected to the second p-type layer, and

the first light emitter and the second light emitter being positioned relative to each other such that the first n-type layer faces the second p-type layer.

86. The lighting device of claim 85, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

87. The lighting device of claim 85, wherein a surface of the first n-type layer and a surface of the second p-type layer are substantially parallel to each other.

88. The lighting device of claim 85, wherein the light emitter further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

89. The lighting device of claim 85, 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.

90. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter;

a second light emitter; and

an interconnection element,

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter n-type layer and a first light emitter p-type layer,

the first light emitter n-type layer comprising a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region, the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the first light emitter p-type layer comprising a first light emitter first p-type region, a first light emitter second p-type region and a first light emitter third p-type region, the first light emitter first p-type region, the first light emitter second p-type region and the first light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter n-type layer and a second light emitter p-type layer,

the second light emitter n-type layer comprising a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region, the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the second light emitter p-type layer comprising a second light emitter first p-type region, a second light emitter second p-type region and a second light emitter third p-type region, the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the interconnection element;

providing electrical connection between the first light emitter first n-type region and the second light emitter first p-type region,

providing electrical connection between the first light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter second p-type region,

providing electrical connection between the first light emitter third n-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region, and

providing electrical connection between the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter third n-type region,

the first light emitter first p-type region being electrically connected to the first light emitter second p-type region and the first light emitter third p-type region, and

the second light emitter first n-type region being electrically connected to the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region.

91. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

92. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

93. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the interconnection element is positioned between the first light emitter n-type layer and the second light emitter p-type layer.

94. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the first light emitter and the second light emitter are positioned relative to each other such that the first light emitting device first n-type region, the first light emitting device second n-type region and the first light emitting device third n-type region face the second light emitting device first p-type region, the second light emitting device second p-type region and the second light emitting device third p-type region.

95. The lighting device of claim 94, wherein a surface of the first light emitter n-type layer and a surface of the second light emitter p-type layer are substantially parallel to each other.

96. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the lighting device further comprises an n-contact which is electrically connected to the first light emitting device first n-type region, the first light emitting device second n-type region and the first light emitting device third n-type region.

97. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the lighting device further comprises a p-contact which is electrically connected to the second light emitting device first p-type region, the second light emitting device second p-type region and the second light emitting device third p-type region.

98. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

99. The lighting device of claim 90, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

100. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter; and

a second light emitter;

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter n-type layer and a first light emitter p-type layer,

the first light emitter p-type layer comprising a first light emitter first p-type region, a first light emitter second p-type region and a first light emitter third p-type region, the first p-type region, the second p-type region and the third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the first light emitter further comprising a first p-contact layer, the first p-contact layer being electrically connected to the first light emitter first p-type region, the first light emitter second p-type region, and the first light emitter third p-type region,

the first light emitter further comprising a first n-contact layer, the first n-contact layer being electrically connected to the first light emitter n-type layer;

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter n-type layer and a second light emitter p-type layer,

the second light emitter p-type layer comprising a second light emitter first p-type region, a second light emitter second p-type region and a second light emitter third p-type region,

the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

the second light emitter n-type layer and the second light emitter first p-type region together comprising a fourth light emitting device,

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

the second light emitter n-type layer and the second light emitter third p-type region together comprising a sixth light emitting device,

the second light emitter further comprising a second p-contact layer, the second p-contact layer being electrically connected to the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region,

the second light emitter further comprising a second n-contact layer, the second n-contact layer being electrically connected to the second light emitter n-type layer, and

the first n-contact layer being electrically connected to the second p-contact layer.

101. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

102. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

103. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein:

the first light emitter n-type layer comprises a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region, the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the first light emitting device comprises the first light emitter first n-type region and the first light emitter first p-type region,

the second light emitting device comprises the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter second p-type region,

the third light emitting device comprises the first light emitter third n-type region and the first light emitter third p-type region,

the second light emitter n-type layer comprises a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region, the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the first light emitting device comprises the second light emitter first n-type region and the second light emitter first p-type region,

the second light emitting device comprises the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter second p-type region, and

the third light emitting device comprises the second light emitter third n-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region.

104. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein the first p-contact layer and the first n-contact layer are on opposite faces of the first light emitter.

105. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein:

the first p-contact layer has a first p-contact layer first surface and a first p-contact layer second surface,

the first n-contact layer has a first n-contact layer first surface and a first n-contact layer second surface,

the second p-contact layer has a second p-contact layer first surface and a second p-contact layer second surface,

the second n-contact layer has a second n-contact layer first surface and a second n-contact layer second surface, and

the first p-contact first surface, the first p-contact second surface, the first n-contact first surface, the first n-contact second surface, the second p-contact first surface, the second p-contact second surface, the second n-contact first surface and the second n-contact second surface are all substantially parallel to each other.

106. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein:

the first p-contact layer has a first p-contact layer first surface and a first p-contact layer second surface,

the first n-contact layer has a first n-contact layer first surface and a first n-contact layer second surface,

the second p-contact layer has a second p-contact layer first surface and a second p-contact layer second surface,

the second n-contact layer has a second n-contact layer first surface and a second n-contact layer second surface, and

the first p-contact second surface, the first n-contact first surface, the first n-contact second surface, the second p-contact first surface, the second p-contact second surface, and the second n-contact first surface, are positioned between the first p-contact first surface and the second n-contact second surface.

107. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

108. The lighting device of claim 100, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

109. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter; and

a second light emitter;

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter p-type layer and a first light emitter n-type layer,

the first light emitter n-type layer comprising a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region, the first n-type region, the second n-type region and the third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the first light emitter further comprising a first n-contact layer, the first n-contact layer being electrically connected to the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region, and the first light emitter third n-type region,

the first light emitter further comprising a first p-contact layer, the first p-contact layer being electrically connected to the first light emitter p-type layer;

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter p-type layer and a second light emitter n-type layer,

the second light emitter n-type layer comprising a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region,

the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the second light emitter p-type layer and the second light emitter first n-type region together comprising a fourth light emitting device,

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

the second light emitter p-type layer and the second light emitter third n-type region together comprising a sixth light emitting device,

the second light emitter further comprising a second n-contact layer, the second n-contact layer being electrically connected to the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region,

the second light emitter further comprising a second p-contact layer, the second p-contact layer being electrically connected to the second light emitter p-type layer, and

the first n-contact layer being electrically connected to the second p-contact layer.

110. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

111. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein the first p-contact layer and the first n-contact layer are on opposite faces of the first light emitter.

112. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein:

the first n-contact layer has a first n-contact layer first surface and a first n-contact layer second surface,

the first p-contact layer has a first p-contact layer first surface and a first p-contact layer second surface,

the second n-contact layer has a second n-contact layer first surface and a second n-contact layer second surface,

the second p-contact layer has a second p-contact layer first surface and a second p-contact layer second surface, and

the first n-contact first surface, the first n-contact second surface, the first p-contact first surface, the first p-contact second surface, the second n-contact first surface, the second n-contact second surface, the second p-contact first surface, the second p-contact second surface, are all substantially parallel to each other.

113. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein:

the first n-contact layer has a first n-contact layer first surface and a first n-contact layer second surface,

the first p-contact layer has a first p-contact layer first surface and a first p-contact layer second surface,

the second n-contact layer has a second n-contact layer first surface and a second n-contact layer second surface,

the second p-contact layer has a second p-contact layer first surface and a second p-contact layer second surface, and

the first p-contact second surface, the first n-contact first surface, the first n-contact second surface, the second p-contact first surface, the second p-contact second surface, and the second n-contact first surface, are positioned between the first p-contact first surface and the second n-contact second surface.

114. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

115. The lighting device of claim 109, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

116. A lighting device, comprising:

a first light emitter; and

a second light emitter;

the first light emitter comprising a first light emitter n-type layer, a first light emitter p-type layer and a first light emitter substrate layer,

the first light emitter n-type layer comprising a first light emitter first n-type region, a first light emitter second n-type region and a first light emitter third n-type region, the first light emitter first n-type region, the first light emitter second n-type region and the first light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the first light emitter p-type layer comprising a first light emitter first p-type region, a first light emitter second p-type region and a first light emitter third p-type region, the first light emitter first p-type region, the first light emitter second p-type region and the first light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the first light emitter further comprising a first p-contact layer, the first p-contact layer being electrically connected to the first light emitter first p-type region, the first light emitter second p-type region and the first light emitter third p-type region,

the first light emitter further comprising a first light emitter first n-contact region, a first light emitter second n-contact region and a first light emitter third n-contact region,

the second light emitter comprising a second light emitter n-type layer, a second light emitter p-type layer and a second light emitter substrate layer,

the second light emitter n-type layer comprising a second light emitter first n-type region, a second light emitter second n-type region and a second light emitter third n-type region, the second light emitter first n-type region, the second light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter third n-type region each being isolated from each other,

the second light emitter p-type layer comprising a second light emitter first p-type region, a second light emitter second p-type region and a second light emitter third p-type region, the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region each being isolated from each other,

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

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

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

the second light emitter further comprising a second p-contact layer, the second p-contact layer being electrically connected to the second light emitter first p-type region, the second light emitter second p-type region and the second light emitter third p-type region,

the second light emitter further comprising a second light emitter first n-contact region, a second light emitter second n-contact region and a second light emitter third n-contact region,

the first light emitter first n-contact region being electrically connected to the first light emitter first n-type region and the second light emitter p-contact layer,

the first light emitter second n-contact region being electrically connected to the first light emitter second n-type region and the second light emitter p-contact layer, and

the first light emitter third n-contact region being electrically connected to the first light emitter third n-type region and the second light emitter p-contact layer.

117. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein the first n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the second n-type layer is a monolithic layer, the first p-type layer is a monolithic layer and the second p-type layer is a monolithic layer.

118. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein said light emitter is suitable for operation with an AC power source.

119. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein the first p-contact layer is on an opposite face of the first light emitter with respect to the first light emitter first n-contact region, the first light emitter second n-contact region, and the first light emitter third n-contact region.

120. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein:

the first p-contact has a first p-contact first surface and a first p-contact second surface,

the second p-contact has a second p-contact first surface and a second p-contact second surface, and

the first p-contact first surface, the first p-contact second surface, the second p-contact first surface and the second p-contact second surface are all substantially parallel to each other.

121. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one fuse link electrically connected in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

122. The lighting device of claim 116, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one means for opening an electrically conductive connection in series with at least one of the light emitting devices.

123. A structure comprising:

a monolithic n-type layer comprising a plurality of n-type regions; and

a monolithic p-type layer comprising a plurality of p-type regions,

the n-type regions each being isolated from each other by at least one isolation region,

the p-type regions each being isolated from each other by the at least one isolation region, and

the n-type regions being positioned relative to each other in a manner which would prevent dicing the n-type layer into individual n-type regions with a conventional wafer cutting device.

124. A structure comprising:

a monolithic n-type layer comprising a plurality of n-type regions; and

a monolithic p-type layer comprising a plurality of p-type regions,

the n-type regions each being isolated from each other by at least one isolation region,

the p-type regions each being isolated from each other by the at least one isolation region, and

at least one of the n-type regions extending across a line defined by at least one of the at least one isolation region extending between at least two other n-type regions.

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

providing a plurality of light emitting devices mechanically interconnected by a common substrate on which the light emitting devices are formed; and

mounting the common substrate on an interconnection submount to mechanically and 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.