Patent ID: 7764721

Claim:
A method of tuning the wavelength of light output by a semiconductor light emitting structure after initial operation of that light emitting structure, comprising: forming a first light emitting device including a semiconductor active region that includes gallium, arsenide and nitride, the semiconductor active region designed to emit light; forming a first electrical contact on a first side of the active region and a second electrical contact on a second side of the active region, the electrical contacts to guide electrical current flow through the active region; passing a first current between said first and second electrical contacts and thus through the active region to thereby cause the light emitting structure to emit light at a first wavelength; determining the first wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting structure; determining a desired second wavelength output of the semiconductor structure; and, changing the amount of hydrogen in the active region designed to emit light to partially change the effects of the nitride in the semiconductor active region such that when said first current flows from the first electrical contact and is directed through the active region to the second electrical contact, the wavelength of light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting structure is changed from said first wavelength to approximately said second wavelength.