Patent ID: 6072818
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A semiconductor light emission device comprising at least an n-type semiconductor clad layer, a semiconductor active layer and a p-type semiconductor clad layer formed on substrate in this order, a stripe portion which determines a light emission region being formed on a part of the p-type clad layer, a p-type capping layer being formed on the stripe portion and a p-side electrode being formed on the p-type capping layer wherein the improvement comprises:said p-type capping layer comprises a lower capping layer in the form of a stripe overlaid on the stripe portion and an upper capping layer which is formed on the lower capping layer and has an area larger than that of the lower capping layer and the contact area between the p-side electrode and the upper capping layer of the p-type capping layer is larger than that between the upper capping layer and the lower capping layer of the p-type capping layer wherein the p-side electrode is formed almost entirely on the p-type capping layer;wherein said upper capping layer comprises a portion which is overlaid on the lower capping layer and an overhang portion which stands out from the lower capping layer; andwherein said overhang portion is formed on an insulating film formed on a part of the p-type clad other than the stripe portion.