Patent ID: 6163037
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor light emitting device, comprising:an n-type cladding layer;a p-type cladding layer;an active layer sandwiched between said n-type cladding layer and said p-type cladding layer and formed of a material having a bandgap energy lower than that of said cladding layers; andwherein said n-type cladding layer has a carrier concentration of non-doped or less than 5.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 on a side thereof close to said active layer, and a carrier concentration of 7.times.10.sup.17 -7.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3 on a side thereof remote from said active layer and said p-type cladding layer has a carrier concentration of 3.times.10.sup.16 to 7.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 on the side of said active layer and a carrier concentration of 5.times.10.sup.17 to 2.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3 on a side thereof remote from said active layer,wherein a light emitting layer forming portion is constituted by said n-type cladding layer, said p-type cladding layer, and said active layer sandwiched between said n-type and p-type cladding layers, said light emitting layer forming portion being formed of an AlGaInP-based compound semiconductor, wherein a window layer is formed of an AlGaAs-based compound semiconductor at a location adjacent to said p-type cladding layer of said light emitting layer forming portion, anda protecting layer formed of an Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As ([0.45<] 0.5<.times.<0.6) semiconductor having an Al ratio within the crystal lower than that of said window layer, on an entire surface of said window layer.