Patent ID: 6291839
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A light-emitting device comprising:a hetero-junction device including,an n-type layer,a p-type layer having a thickness of less than 2 microns, andan emission layer, interposing the n-type and p-type layers, being operative to emit visible light .lambda., said emission layer comprising an AlInGaN compound; andtwo contacts of electrically conductive material, one of the two being an n contact connected to the n-type layer and the other of the two being a p contact connected to the p-type layer,wherein at least one of the two contacts includes a pattern of openings with substantially each opening having a minimum dimension of 1/4 .lambda. to enable light to be emitted through the openings and a maximum dimension of substantially each said opening being that needed to spread current from edges of each opening to all areas of said emission layer underlying each said opening; andwherein at least one of the two contacts contains a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, rhodium, and alloys thereof, having a normal incidence reflectivity exceeding 70% for light emitted by the emission layer.