Patent ID: 6456639
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor light emitting device comprising at least an n-type clad layer, an active layer, and a p-type clad layer formed into a multilayer structure using a II-VI compound semiconductor containing at least one II-group element selected from the group consisting of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), and mercury (Hg) and at least one VI-group element selected from the group consisting of oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te), said semiconductor light emitting device also comprising a p-side electrode electrically connected to said p-type clad layer, said semiconductor light emitting device being characterized in that:a contact layer is provided between said p-type clad layer and said p-side electrode, said contact layer being formed, at least in part, of a II-VI group semiconductor containing an alkali metal element serving as a p-type impurity; and said p-side electrode includes, at least in a part thereof, a diffusion barrier layer for preventing an element constituting said p-side electrode from being diffused toward said contact layer.