Patent ID: 8822976

Claim:
A nitride semiconductor ultraviolet light-emitting element, formed by laminating at least an n-type cladding layer configured of an n-type AlGaN semiconductor layer, an active layer including an AlGaN semiconductor layer having band gap energy of 3.4 eV or larger, and a p-type cladding layer configured of a p-type AlGaN semiconductor layer, wherein a p-type contact layer configured of a p-type AlGaN semiconductor layer that absorbs ultraviolet light emitted from the active layer is formed on the p-type cladding layer, the p-type contact layer has an opening portion penetrating through to a surface of the p-type cladding layer, a p-electrode metal layer that makes Ohmic contact or non-rectifying contact with the p-type contact layer is formed on the p-type contact layer in a manner not to completely block the opening portion, a reflective metal layer for reflecting the ultraviolet light is formed at least on the opening portion, and the reflective metal layer covers the surface of the p-type cladding layer that is exposed through the opening portion either directly or through a transparent insulating layer that allows the ultraviolet light to pass therethrough.