Patent ID: 8115226

Claim:
An electrode structure for interfacing with a semiconductor material in which is formed a PN junction capable of generating light responsive to application of a potential across the PN junction, the electrode structure comprising: a metal electrode; a non-perforated region of dielectric material disposed between the metal electrode and a surface of the semiconductor material, the non-perforated region of dielectric material having an index of refraction greater than or equal to one and less than that of a semiconductor upon which the non-perforated region of dielectric material is formed; and an optically transmissive ohmic contact layer establishing ohmic contact between the metal electrode and the semiconductor material, wherein the metal electrode is physically separated from the surface of the semiconductor material by one or more of the optically transmissive ohmic contact layer and the non-perforated region of dielectric material, wherein the electrode structure and the non-perforated region of dielectric material are relatively disposed for conduction of electric current through the electrode structure to the semiconductor material only at a periphery of the non-perforated layer of dielectric material, and light generated by the PN junction is emitted through the optically transmissive ohmic contact layer.