Patent ID: 6327288
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B82Y,H01S

Abstract:
A laser diode comprising:a first contact layer comprising a first semiconducting material of a first carrier type overlying a substrate, said first semiconducting material having a first index of refraction and being a GaN based compound, said first contact layer having a trench therein;said trench having a layer of a second semiconducting material of said first carrier type at least partially filling said trench, said second semiconducting material having a second index of refraction and being a GaN based compound, said second index of refraction being at least one percent greater than said first index of refraction;a first dielectric layer covering said first contact layer in those regions outside of said trench;a first cladding layer comprising a third semiconducting material of said first carrier type and being a GaN based compound, said first cladding layer overlying said second semiconducting material;an active layer for generating light by recombination of holes and electrons, said active layer overlying said first cladding layer;a second cladding layer comprising a fourth semiconducting material of the opposite carrier type from said first carrier type and being a GaN based compound, said second cladding layer overlying said active layer;a second contact layer of a fifth semiconducting material of said opposite carrier type from said first carrier type and being a GaN based compound, said second contact layer overlying said second cladding layer;a first electrode connected electrically to said first contact layer; anda second electrode connected electrically to said second contact layer,said first electrode and said second electrode being formed on the same side of said laser diode so as not to use said substrate to conduct current to said first contact layer.