Patent ID: 8004006

Claim:
A nitride semiconductor light emitting element including at least an n side electrode, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, a light emitting region, a p-type nitride semiconductor layer and a p side electrode in listed order, characterized by comprising a step provided between the light emitting element and the n side electrode, and a first protective insulating film formed in a laminated direction from the p side electrode to the position of the step, and a second protective insulating film formed outside the first protective insulating film and formed to the lower end of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, the second protective insulating film having a smaller refractive index than that of the first protective insulating film, wherein: the n-type nitride semiconductor layer includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a side face that bridges the upper surface and the lower surface; the n side electrode comes in contact with the lower surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; and the second protective insulating film covers the entire side face of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer.