Patent ID: 8354679

Claim:
A microcavity light emitting diode, comprising: a semiconductor active layer comprising Al w In x Ga 1-w-x N, where 0≦w, x, w+x≦1, the semiconductor active layer being characterized by a peak emission wavelength (λ) and having an active layer surface dislocation density below about 10 5 cm −2 ; at least one semiconductor n-type layer comprising Al u In v Ga 1-u-v N, where 0≦u, v, u+v≦1, the at least one semiconductor n-type layer having an n-type layer surface dislocation density below about 10 5 cm −2 ; at least one semiconductor p-type layer comprising Al q In r Ga 1-q-r N, where 0≦q, r, q+r≦1; an electrical contact coupled to the at least one semiconductor n-type layer; a reflective electrical contact coupled to the at least one semiconductor p-type layer and the at least one semiconductor n-type layer, the reflective electrical contact having a reflectivity greater than about 70% at the peak emission wavelength; a total thickness characterizing the semiconductor active layer, the at least one semiconductor n-type layer, and the at least one semiconductor p-type layer of less than 6λ/n; and a uniformity to within approximately ±λ/(4n) wherein n is a thickness averaged index of refraction at the peak emission wavelength characterizing the total thickness of the semiconductor active layer, the at least one semiconductor n-type layer, and the at least one semiconductor p-type layer.