Patent ID: 8227280

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device comprising a substrate, a plurality of GaN-based semiconductor layers formed on the substrate and an ohmic electrode formed on the GaN-based semiconductor layers so that light generated in the GaN-based semiconductor layers is emitted from the ohmic electrode or the substrate, the method comprising: providing a C plane (0001) sapphire substrate; forming a plurality of protrusions on a primary surface of the sapphire substrate in a two-dimensionally repeated pattern so that the protrusions stand on a base flat portion of the sapphire substrate and have top portions that are higher than the base flat portion; growing epitaxially from the top portions of the protrusions and the base flat portion of the sapphire substrate a GaN based semiconductor layer so as to cover the protrusions; and forming an ohmic electrode over the GaN-based semiconductor layer, wherein in plan view of the sapphire substrate the GaN-based semiconductor layer grows in a shape of a hexagon defined by A-axis of the GaN-based semiconductor layer on the top portions of the protrusions, and in plan view of the sapphire substrate the GaN-based semiconductor layer grows with a growing face that is not parallel to A-axis of the GaN-based semiconductor layer on the base flat portion of the sapphire substrate.