Light emitting diodes with high external quantum efficiency
First Claim
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1. A surface emitting light emitting diode comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate on which is grown a double heterostructure consisting of a first confining layer, an active layer, and a second confining layer;
a transparent element on one side of the heterostructure permitting exit of light emitted from an emitting region of the active layer;
a reflective element on the other side of the heterostructure for reflecting emitted light towards the transparent element, the transparent element, the emitting region, and the reflective element being substantially aligned;
first contact metallization extending around the transparent element;
a second contact metallization extending around the reflective element; and
current directing means causing current entering at one contact metallization to converge towards the emitting region and to diverge from the emitting region to the other contact metallization.
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Abstract
A surface emitting light emitting diode (LED) has a reflecting element to redirect light emitted away from the light emitting region towards an exit window. The LED bottom contact is formed over the reflecting element and a current confining path is set up within the LED to funnel current between the top and bottom contacts around the reflecting element and through the light emitting region.
133 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A surface emitting light emitting diode comprising:
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a semiconductor substrate on which is grown a double heterostructure consisting of a first confining layer, an active layer, and a second confining layer; a transparent element on one side of the heterostructure permitting exit of light emitted from an emitting region of the active layer; a reflective element on the other side of the heterostructure for reflecting emitted light towards the transparent element, the transparent element, the emitting region, and the reflective element being substantially aligned; first contact metallization extending around the transparent element; a second contact metallization extending around the reflective element; and current directing means causing current entering at one contact metallization to converge towards the emitting region and to diverge from the emitting region to the other contact metallization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification