Patent ID: 7397068

Claim:
A monolithic light emitting diode series array, comprising: a first light emitting diode element having an anode region and a cathode region; a second light emitting diode element having an anode region and a cathode region; a conductive, rigid bond region located between the cathode region of the first light emitting diode element and the anode region of the second light emitting diode element to connect the first and second light emitting diode elements electrically and mechanically in series; a positive external lead on the cathode region of the first light emitting diode element; a negative external lead on the anode region of the second light emitting element; a package having a recess formed therein and having first and second contact pads, the connected first and second light emitting diode elements being located in the recess of the package such that one of the external leads is disposed between a surface of the connected first and second light emitting diode elements and a bottom surface of the recess and another of the leads is disposed on an opposing surface of the connected first and second light emitting diode elements; a first wire lead connected between one of the external leads and one of the contact pads; and a second wire lead connected between another of the external leads and another of the contact pads.