Patent ID: 7087933

Claim:
A light-emitting semiconductor device of improved efficiency, comprising: (a) a semiconductor region comprising a first and a second semiconductor layer for generating light, the semiconductor region having a first major surface at which the first semiconductor layer is exposed and from which the light is emitted, and a second major surface, opposite to the first major surface, at which the second semiconductor layer is exposed; (b) a first electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer; (c) a transparent layer of electrically conducting material in ohmic contact with substantially all of the second major surface of the semiconductor region, the transparent layer being pervious to the light generated by the semiconductor region; (d) a reflective metal layer covering the transparent layer for reflecting the light that has traveled through the transparent layer from the semiconductor region; and (e) a second electrode electrically connected to a preselected one of the transparent layer and the reflective metal layer.