Patent ID: 8536026

Claim:
A method for selectively growing a nitride semiconductor comprising: forming a mask, with an opening formed therein, on a nitride semiconductor layer; and selectively growing a nitride semiconductor crystal on a portion of the nitride semiconductor layer exposed through the opening in the mask, the nitride semiconductor crystal shaped as a hexagonal pyramid and having crystal planes inclined with respect to a top surface of the nitride semiconductor, wherein the step of selectively growing the nitride semiconductor crystal comprises: performing a first growth procedure for growing a lower area of the nitride semiconductor crystal at a first growth rate which satisfies a growth mode for the hexagonal pyramid; forming an intermediate stress-relieving area by performing a second growth procedure for growing the nitride semiconductor crystal at a second growth rate higher than the first growth rate thereby resulting in the intermediate stress-relieving area having crystal planes inclined at a greater angle relative to the top surface of the nitride semiconductor than those of the lower area and an upper area of the nitride semiconductor crystal, the intermediate stress-relieving area relieving stress which occurs from continuity in the inclined crystal planes; and performing a third growth procedure for growing the upper area of the nitride semiconductor crystal at a third growth rate which satisfies a growth mode for the hexagonal pyramid, the third growth rate being lower than the second growth rate.