Patent ID: 6268618
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An electrode for a light-emitting semiconductor device, formed on a surface of a p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor, comprising:a light-permeable electrode contacting the surface of the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor, anda wire-bonding electrode electrically contacting the light-permeable electrode and is partially contacting the surface of the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor with at least a region in contact with the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor having a higher contact resistance per unit area with respect to the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor than a region of the light-permeable electrode in contact with the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor,wherein the light-permeable electrode comprises a first layer contacting the surface of the p-type GaN-base compound semiconductor and comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of Au, Pt and Pd, and a second layer formed on the first layer and comprising a light-permeable metal oxide containing an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ti, Sn, Cr, Co, Zn, Cu, Mg and In, andwherein the second layer has an oxygen composition that gradually decreases from the second layer toward the first layer in a region near an interface between the second layer and the first layer.