Patent ID: 7939839

Claim:
A light source comprising a substrate; a light emitting structure comprising: a first layer of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type deposited on said substrate; an active layer overlying said first layer; and a second layer of semiconductor material of an opposite conductivity type from said first conductivity type overlying said active layer; a barrier that divides said light emitting structure into first and second segments that are electrically isolated from one another, said barrier comprising a trench extending through said light emitting structure; wherein said barrier is transparent to light traveling in said first layer; a serial connection electrode that connects said first layer in said first segment to said second layer in said second segment, said serial connection electrode comprising a layer of optically transparent electrically conducting material deposited in said trench, said trench having an insulating layer that prevents said layer of electrically conducting material from making direct contact with said first layer or said active layer in said second segment; a first power contact electrically connected to said second layer in said first segment; and a second power contact electrically connected to said first layer in said second segment, wherein said first and second segments generate light when a potential difference is created between said first and second power contacts.