Patent ID: 7612384

Claim:
A semiconductor structure for use in a semiconductor light emitting apparatus, the structure comprising: a first cladding layer; an active layer in electrical contact with said first cladding layer, said active layer being operable to generate light; a second cladding layer in electrical contact with said active layer, said second cladding layer having an outer face; a reflective electrode on said outer face of said second cladding layer, said reflective electrode comprising: an intermediate layer of electrically conductive material, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a diffused portion of said electrically conductive material in said second cladding layer and an un-diffused portion of said electrically conductive material on said second cladding layer; a reflective layer on said intermediate layer, said reflective layer being electrically conductive and in electrical contact with said intermediate layer, said reflective layer being operable to reflect light generated in said active layer back through said second cladding layer, said active layer, and said first cladding layer.