Patent ID: 8153455

Claim:
A method for enhancing light extraction efficiency of a light emitting diode, comprising the steps of: a) providing a light emitting diode including in sequence a substrate, a first layer of a first conduction type, an active layer, and a second layer of a second conduction type opposite to the first conduction type; b) growing a plurality of protrusions on at least one layer selected from the first layer, the active layer, and the second layer of the light emitting diode to form a patterned oxide layer for protecting the light emitting diode from being etched; c) controlling height of the protrusions to achieve a predetermined etching depth of the light emitting diode; d) dry etching through a portion of the light emitting diode which is not protected by the patterned oxide layer to form a plurality of depressions on the light emitting diode; and e) removing the patterned oxide layer from the at least one layer by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, or hydrogen peroxide.