Patent ID: 7501295

Claim:
A process for forming a reflective electrode on a semiconductor light emitting device, the light emitting device having an active layer for generating light and a cladding layer in electrical contact with the active layer, the process comprising: depositing an intermediate layer of electrically conductive material on the cladding layer; causing at least a portion of said electrically conductive material to diffuse into the cladding layer; depositing a reflective layer on said intermediate layer, said reflective layer being electrically conductive and in electrical contact with said intermediate layer; and removing a portion of said intermediate layer before depositing said reflective layer; wherein, after causing said electrically conductive material to diffuse into the cladding layer, said intermediate layer comprises a first portion diffused into said cladding layer and a second portion remaining on said cladding layer, and wherein said removing comprises removing a majority of said second portion of said intermediate layer.