US20140299905A1 - Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency - Google Patents
Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency Download PDFInfo
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- US20140299905A1 US20140299905A1 US14/309,658 US201414309658A US2014299905A1 US 20140299905 A1 US20140299905 A1 US 20140299905A1 US 201414309658 A US201414309658 A US 201414309658A US 2014299905 A1 US2014299905 A1 US 2014299905A1
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- AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxotin Chemical compound [In].[Sn]=O AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
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- H01L33/42—
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10H—INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10H20/00—Individual inorganic light-emitting semiconductor devices having potential barriers, e.g. light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H10H20/80—Constructional details
- H10H20/83—Electrodes
- H10H20/831—Electrodes characterised by their shape
- H10H20/8314—Electrodes characterised by their shape extending at least partially onto an outer side surface of the bodies
-
- H01L33/385—
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10H—INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10H20/00—Individual inorganic light-emitting semiconductor devices having potential barriers, e.g. light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H10H20/80—Constructional details
- H10H20/83—Electrodes
- H10H20/831—Electrodes characterised by their shape
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10H—INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10H20/00—Individual inorganic light-emitting semiconductor devices having potential barriers, e.g. light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H10H20/80—Constructional details
- H10H20/83—Electrodes
- H10H20/832—Electrodes characterised by their material
- H10H20/833—Transparent materials
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10H—INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10H20/00—Individual inorganic light-emitting semiconductor devices having potential barriers, e.g. light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H10H20/80—Constructional details
- H10H20/81—Bodies
- H10H20/819—Bodies characterised by their shape, e.g. curved or truncated substrates
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10H—INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10H20/00—Individual inorganic light-emitting semiconductor devices having potential barriers, e.g. light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H10H20/80—Constructional details
- H10H20/882—Scattering means
Definitions
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to light emitting diodes and, more particularly, to light emitting diodes with improved luminous efficiency.
- Gallium nitride (GaN) based light emitting diodes have been used in a wide range of applications including natural color LED display devices, LED traffic sign boards, white LEDs, etc.
- the GaN-based light emitting diode is generally formed by growing epitaxial layers on a substrate, for example, a sapphire substrate, and includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer interposed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. Further, an N electrode pad is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer and a P electrode pad is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer.
- the light emitting diode is electrically connected to and operated by an external power source through these electrode pads. Here, electric current may be directed from the P-electrode pad to the N-electrode pad through the semiconductor layers.
- the p-type semiconductor layer may have high specific resistance, electric current may not be evenly distributed in the p-type semiconductor layer, but may be concentrated on a portion of the p-type semiconductor layer having the P-electrode formed thereon, and may cause a problem of current crowding at an edge of the p-type semiconductor layer. Current crowding may lead to a reduction in light emitting area, thereby deteriorating luminous efficiency.
- a transparent electrode layer having low specific resistance may be formed on the p-type semiconductor layer so as to enhance current spreading.
- electric current supplied from the P-electrode pad may be dispersed by the transparent electrode layer before entering the p-type semiconductor layer, thereby increasing a light emitting area of the LED.
- the transparent electrode layer may absorb light, the thickness of the transparent electrode layer is limited, thereby providing limited current spreading.
- a large-scale LED may include pad extensions extending from the electrode pads.
- U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0044744 applied for by Kim, et al., discloses an LED which includes pad extensions to enhance current spreading.
- the LED is provided at an upper side thereof with a transparent electrode layer in addition to the pad extensions for current spreading.
- the transparent electrode layer assists current spreading in cooperation with the pad extensions.
- pad extensions and a plurality of n-electrode pads occupying a relatively large area are generally formed by etching an active layer and an upper semiconductor layer which have a relatively wide area. Accordingly, the formation of the n-electrode pad and the pad extensions may result in a reduction in light emitting area, causing deterioration in light emitting efficiency.
- the LED may include a plurality of n- and p-electrode pads to assist current spreading, the formation of the plural electrode pads may lead to an increase in the number of processes such as a wire-bonding process, thereby decreasing package yield.
- the n-electrode pad and the p-electrode pad are disposed to face each other, current crowding is likely to occur between adjacent electrode pads, thereby causing uneven light emission from a central region of the light emitting diode.
- a patterned sapphire substrate may be used to improve LED light extraction efficiency.
- the pattern on the sapphire substrate scatters or reflects light generated in the active layer to reduce optical loss due to total internal reflection inside the LED, thereby improving light extraction efficiency.
- the relatively high refractive index of the GaN-based compound semiconductor may result in optical loss by total internal reflection inside the LED.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode which has improved luminous efficiency.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a light emitting diode which permits uniform current spreading without reducing a light emitting area.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode which has improved light extraction efficiency.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a light emitting diode including a substrate having a first side edge and a second side edge.
- a light emitting structure is arranged on the substrate.
- the light emitting structure includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer.
- a transparent electrode layer is arranged on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer.
- the transparent electrode layer may have a concave portion and a convex portion.
- a first electrode pad contacts an upper surface of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer and is located near a center of the first side edge.
- two second electrode pads are located near opposite distal ends of the second side edge to supply electric current to the upper semiconductor layer.
- a first pad extension extends from the first electrode pad and a second pad extension extends each of from the two second electrode pads.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED.
- the method includes forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a lower transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, etching the lower transparent electrode layer to form nanoparticles on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming an upper transparent electrode layer to cover the nanoparticles, forming a first electrode pad and first pad extensions on the first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and forming two second electrode pads and second pad extensions on the transparent electrode layer.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED.
- the method includes forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, patterning the transparent electrode layer to form holes exposing the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming an insulation layer to cover the transparent electrode layer, patterning the insulation layer to form micro-lenses arranged in the holes, forming a first electrode pad and first pad extensions on the first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and forming two second electrode pads and second pad extensions on the transparent electrode layer.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a light emitting diode including a substrate, a light emitting structure arranged on the substrate and including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a transparent electrode layer arranged on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and including an upper convex-concave surface having a plurality of concave portions, and a plurality of micro-lenses arranged on the transparent electrode layer and covering the transparent electrode layer concave portions.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED including forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, forming a convex-concave surface on the transparent electrode layer, the convex-concave surface including a plurality of concave portions, and forming a plurality of micro-lenses made of a transparent material, the micro-lenses covering the concave portions.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating an LED according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of an LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side-sectional view of the LED of FIG. 7 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating the LED shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .
- FIGS. 11( a ), 11 ( b ), and 11 ( c ) show side-sectional views of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer including through-holes, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIGS. 12( a ), 12 ( b ), and 12 ( c ) show plan views of various micro-lenses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a side-sectional view of the LED taken along line B-B of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged side-sectional view of an upper portion of the LED of FIG. 14 .
- FIGS. 16 and 17 are side-sectional views explaining a process for manufacturing the LED shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 .
- FIGS. 18( a ), 18 ( b ), and 18 ( c ) show side-sectional views of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer having blind holes, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 .
- the light emitting diode includes a substrate 21 , a light emitting structure, a transparent electrode layer 29 , a first electrode pad 41 and a second electrode pad 51 , a first pad extension 41 a and 41 b, and a second pad extension 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and 51 d.
- the LED may include an insulation layer 31 .
- the light emitting structure includes a first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 , an active layer 25 , and a second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 .
- the transparent electrode layer 29 includes nanoparticles 29 a and an upper transparent electrode layer 29 b.
- the substrate 21 may be a patterned sapphire substrate.
- the substrate 21 includes a first side edge E 1 and a second side edge E 2 facing each other at opposite sides of the substrate 21 .
- the substrate 21 may have a rectangular shape.
- the substrate 21 may have a third side edge E 3 and a fourth side edge E 4 , which connect the first side edge E 1 and the second side edge E 2 .
- the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 is located on the substrate 21 and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 is located on the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 with the active layer 25 interposed between the first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 23 and 27 .
- the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 , active layer 25 and second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may be formed of a GaN-based compound semiconductor material such as (Al, In, Ga)N.
- the active layer 25 is composed of elements emitting light at a desired wavelength, for example, ultraviolet (UV) or blue light.
- the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 may be an n-type nitride semiconductor layer and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may be a p-type nitride semiconductor layer, or vice versa.
- the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 and/or the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure.
- the active layer 25 may have a single quantum well structure or a multi-quantum well structure.
- the light emitting diode may further include a buffer layer (not shown) between the substrate 21 and the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 .
- These semiconductor layers 23 , 25 , 27 may be formed by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
- the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 and active layer 25 of the light emitting structure may be divided to define at least two light emitting areas. These light emitting areas may have a symmetrical structure and division thereof may be carried out by mesa-etching.
- the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 in a region crossing the center of the light emitting structure may be exposed by mesa-etching, so that the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 and the active layer 25 are divided into two areas.
- some regions of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 may be exposed by mesa-etching to form the first electrode pad 41 and the first pad extension 41 a, 41 b.
- the transparent electrode layer 29 is located on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 .
- the transparent electrode layer 29 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO) or Ni/Au and forms an ohmic contact with the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 .
- the transparent electrode layer 29 may include the nanoparticles 29 a and the upper transparent electrode layer 29 b covering the nanoparticles 29 a.
- the nanoparticles 29 a provide a convex-concave surface to the upper transparent electrode layer 29 b.
- the nanoparticles 29 a may have a substantially spherical shape, and the upper transparent electrode layer 29 b has concave portions and convex portions. With this configuration, the LED has improved light extraction efficiency.
- the nanoparticles 29 a may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed.
- the nanoparticles 29 a may be formed, for example, in an island shape.
- the nanoparticles may be formed in a stripe shape having a nanometer scale width.
- the insulation layer 31 covers the transparent electrode layer 29 .
- the insulation layer 31 may also cover sidewalls of the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 and the active layer 25 exposed by mesa-etching, that is, mesa-sides thereof exposed by the mesa-etching.
- the insulation layer 31 may be formed along the convex-concave surface of the transparent electrode layer 29 to form a convex-concave surface, thereby reducing total internal reflection of light emitted through the insulation layer 31 in the LED.
- the insulation layer 31 may be formed of any insulating material, for example SiO 2 , so long as light generated in the active layer 25 can pass through the insulating material.
- the insulation layer 31 has an opening, through which the transparent electrode layer 29 is exposed, such that the second pad extensions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and 51 d are formed in the opening to be connected to the transparent electrode layer 29 .
- the second electrode pads 51 may also be formed in the opening of the insulation layer 31 to be brought into direct contact with the transparent electrode layer 29 .
- the single first electrode pad 41 and the first pad extensions 41 a and 41 b are located on the exposed region of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 subjected to mesa etching.
- the first electrode pad 41 contacts an upper surface of the lower semiconductor layer 23 and is located near the center of the first side edge E 1 .
- the first electrode pad 41 may be located on a straight line connecting the center of the first side edge E 1 and the center of the substrate 21 , to be closer to the first side edge E 1 than the center of the substrate 21 , when seen in plan view.
- the center of the first electrode pad 41 may be located at the center of the straight line.
- the first pad extension includes a first inserting portion 41 a and a second inserting portion 41 b.
- the first inserting portion 41 a extends from the first electrode pad 41 towards the second side edge E 2 .
- the first inserting portion 41 a may cross the center of the substrate 21 and have a distal end closer to the center of the substrate 21 than to the second side edge E 2 .
- the second inserting portions 41 b extend from a portion of the first inserting portion 41 a between the center of the first inserting portion 41 a and the first electrode pad 41 towards opposite sides of the first inserting portion 41 a along the first side edge E 1 , are bent to extend towards the second side edge E 2 , and further bent to extend towards each other.
- distal ends of the second inserting portions 41 b do not meet each other.
- a distance between the distal ends of the second inserting portions 41 b may be the same as the length of a portion of each of the second inserting portions 41 b extending from the first inserting portion 41 a along the first side edge E 1 .
- the distance from a line that connects the distal ends of the second inserting portions 41 b to each other, to the center of the substrate 21 may be the same as the distance from the center of the substrate 21 to a portion of the first inserting portion 41 a, from which the second inserting portion 41 a extends.
- the two second electrode pads 51 are located near opposite ends of the second side edge E 2 , respectively.
- Each of the second electrode pads 51 is located on a straight line, which connects one end of the second side edge E 2 to the center of the substrate 21 , and each of the second electrode pads 51 are closer to one end of the second side edge E 2 than to the center of the substrate 21 .
- the center of the second electrode pad 51 may be located on the straight line.
- the first electrode pad 41 and the two second electrode pads 51 may be located at vertices of an isosceles triangle, respectively.
- the second pad extension includes a connecting portion 51 a, a first inserting portion 51 b, second inserting portions 51 c, and third inserting portions 51 d.
- the connecting portion 51 a connects the two second electrode pads 51 to each other.
- the connecting portion 51 a extends along the second side edge E 2 .
- the first inserting portion 51 b extends from a central region of the connecting portion 51 a towards the first side edge E 1 .
- the first inserting portion 51 b may be located on an imaginary elongated line of the first inserting portion 41 a of the first pad extension. A distal end of the first inserting portion 51 b is separated from the distal end of the first inserting portion 41 a of the first pad extension.
- the first inserting portion 51 b receives electric current supplied from the two second electrode pads 51 , the first inserting portion 51 b may be formed to have a greater width than the connecting portion 51 a or other inserting portions 51 c, 51 d in consideration of current density.
- the second inserting portions 51 c extend from the distal end of the first inserting portion 51 b parallel to the second side edge E 2 and are then bent to extend towards the first side edge E 1 to surround the distal end of the first pad extension first inserting portion 41 a.
- Each of the second inserting portions 51 c extends towards a region between the first and second inserting portions 41 a, 41 b of the first pad extension.
- the third inserting portion 51 d extends from each of the two electrode pads 51 towards the first side edge E 1 and is bent to extend towards the first electrode pad 41 along the first side edge E 1 .
- the first pad extension and the second pad extension may be disposed to have a symmetrical structure with respect to a vertical plane taken along the first inserting portion 41 a of the first pad extension and the first inserting portion 51 b of the second pad extension, so that the LED demonstrates the same current spreading characteristics at both sides of the vertical plane.
- first and second pad extensions are alternately disposed at either side of the first inserting portion 41 a with respect to the center of the substrate 21 such that the distance between the first and second pad extensions in one region on the substrate 21 is substantially the same as the distance therebetween in other regions on the substrate 21 , thereby enabling uniform current spreading over a wide area of the LED.
- the second electrode pad 51 is illustrated as being formed on the transparent electrode layer 29 , the second electrode pad 51 is provided to supply electric current to the upper semiconductor layer 27 and is not necessarily formed only on the transparent electrode layer 29 . That is, the second electrode pad 51 may be formed at any location on the substrate 21 so long as the second electrode pad 51 is insulated from the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 .
- the second electrode pad 51 may be located on a region of the substrate 21 exposed by etching the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 , or located on the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 or the transparent electrode layer 29 , with an insulation layer, for example, the insulation layer 31 , interposed between the second electrode pad 51 and the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 or the transparent electrode layer 29 . It is possible to prevent current crowding near the electrode pads 51 by preventing the second electrode pad 51 from directly contacting the transparent electrode layer 29 .
- FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are sectional views explaining a method of fabricating an LED in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 , an active layer 25 and a second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 are grown on a substrate 21 .
- the epitaxial layers 23 , 25 , 27 may be formed by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
- MOCVD metal-organic chemical vapor deposition
- MBE molecular beam epitaxy
- a buffer layer (not shown) may be formed before growing the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 .
- the epitaxial layers 23 , 25 , 27 are subjected to mesa etching to expose some regions of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 .
- the epitaxial layers 23 , 25 , 27 may be subjected to patterning through photolithography and etching.
- a lower transparent electrode layer 28 is formed on the epitaxial layers.
- the lower transparent electrode layer 28 may be formed of a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or zinc oxide (ZnO) by a lift-off process.
- ITO indium tin oxide
- ZnO zinc oxide
- the lower transparent electrode layer 28 is subjected to patterning by wet etching or by lithography and etching to form nanoparticles 29 a.
- the nanoparticles 29 a may be separated from each other and distributed in an island shape on the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 .
- some of the nanoparticles 29 a may have a stripe shape having a nanoscale width.
- the lower transparent electrode layer 28 When the lower transparent electrode layer 28 is wet etched, the lower transparent electrode layer 28 may be etched using a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid, instead of using a photoresist.
- the lower transparent electrode layer 28 is partially rapidly etched by the strong acid, thereby forming spherical nanoparticles 29 a. Since the strong acid may remove foreign substances from mesa sidewalls or an exposed upper surface of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 , the LED has improved electrical properties.
- an upper transparent electrode layer 29 b is formed on the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 having the nanoparticles 29 a formed thereon.
- the upper transparent electrode layer 29 b may be formed by a lift-off process and deposited corresponding to the shapes of the nanoparticles 29 a, so that the surface of the upper transparent electrode layer 29 b has a convex-concave surface. Accordingly, a transparent electrode layer 29 having a convex-concave surface is completed.
- an insulation layer 31 is formed and patterned to form openings for exposing the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 and the transparent electrode layer 29 , at places where first and second electrode pads 41 , 51 and first and second pad extensions will be formed. Then, a single first electrode pad 41 and a first pad extension 41 a, 41 b are formed on exposed regions of the lower semiconductor layer 23 , and two second electrode pads 51 and second pad extensions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and 51 d are formed on the transparent electrode layer 29 . Then, the semiconductor structure is divided into individual LEDs, thereby providing complete LEDs.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of an LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side-sectional view of the LED.
- the LED according to the present exemplary embodiment is generally similar to the LED of FIG. 1 .
- a transparent electrode layer 69 has holes which expose an upper semiconductor layer 27 , and micro-lenses 71 are located on the holes.
- concave portions of the transparent electrode layer 69 comprise holes 69 a (see FIG. 9 ) and convex portions of the transparent electrode layer 69 have a mesh shape, and the micro-lenses 71 a are disposed in the holes 69 a instead of the insulation layer 31 .
- the holes 69 a are illustrated as through-holes exposing a layer under the holes 69 a, that is, the upper semiconductor layer 27 , blind holes may also be used as in exemplary embodiments described below.
- the holes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a may be regularly or irregularly located on the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 .
- the holes 69 a may have a micrometer-scale diameter, for example, about 6 ⁇ m, and a distance between the holes may be about 8 ⁇ m.
- the holes 69 a may have a circular or elliptical cross-section.
- the micro-lenses 71 a may have a semi-spherical convex surface to act as a convex lens.
- the micro-lenses 71 a may have a micrometer-scale diameter, for example, about 9 ⁇ m, in a horizontal direction.
- the transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed of ZnO or ITO, and the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed of a material, for example SiO 2 , which has a lower refractive index than the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the transparent electrode layer 69 is formed with the holes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a are located in the holes, light generated in the active layer 25 may be emitted to the outside through the micro-lenses 71 a, thereby improving light extraction efficiency. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment described above, an interface is formed between the transparent electrode layer 29 and the insulation layer 31 and total internal reflection may occur at this interface, thereby causing optical loss. On the contrary, in the present exemplary embodiment, since an interface between the transparent electrode layer 69 and the micro-lenses 71 a is reduced, optical loss occurring at the interface therebetween may be lowered.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating the LED described above according to the present exemplary embodiment.
- epitaxial layers 23 , 25 , and 27 are formed on a substrate 21 and subjected to mesa-etching to expose some regions of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 , as described in the above exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 .
- a transparent electrode layer 69 having holes 69 a is formed on a second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 .
- the transparent electrode layer 69 and the holes 69 a may be formed at the same time by forming a photoresist pattern corresponding to a pattern of the holes 69 a to be formed thereon and performing a lift-off process.
- the transparent conductive layer 69 may be subjected to patterning by lithography and etching to form the holes 69 a.
- an insulation layer 71 is formed to cover the transparent conductive layer 69 .
- the insulation layer 71 may cover mesa sidewalls and some regions of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 exposed by mesa etching.
- the insulation layer 71 may be formed of SiO 2 .
- a photoresist pattern 73 is formed on the insulation layer 71 .
- the photoresist pattern 73 coves the insulation layer 71 on the holes 69 a and has openings which expose the insulation layer 71 on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the insulation layer 71 is etched by wet etching to form micro-lenses 71 a as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the photoresist pattern 73 may be formed to have lens shapes using a reflow technology and may be used as a mask for dry etching the insulation layer 71 to form the micro-lenses 71 a.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are a side sectional view and a plan view of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer including through-holes.
- micro-lenses 71 a in FIG. 8 are illustrated as having a vertical cross-section of a convex shape, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape on the transparent electrode layer 69 , the micro-lenses 71 a may have various shapes. These micro-lenses 71 a generally have a vertical cross section, a width of which gradually decreases upwards, on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- micro-lenses 81 a have a vertical cross-section, which includes a flat upper surface and side surfaces, on the transparent electrode layer 69 , in which each of the side surfaces may comprise two inclined surfaces 83 and 85 .
- each of the side surfaces may comprise two inclined surfaces 83 and 85 .
- an obtuse angle may be defined between the inclined surfaces 83 , 85 .
- the inclined surface 85 may extend vertically on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the inclined surface 85 may extend upwards on the transparent electrode layer 69 at a more inclined angle than the inclined surface 83 .
- the side surface of the micro-lens 81 a may include more than two inclined surfaces.
- at least one of the inclined surfaces 83 , 85 may be a convex surface.
- the micro-lenses 81 a may have a flat upper surface and side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface.
- the micro-lenses 81 a may have side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface and meet other side surfaces to form a pointed end.
- the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a flat surface.
- the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a convex surface.
- micro-lenses 91 a may have a circular or elliptical shape, when seen in plan view. That is, the micro-lens may have a horizontal cross-section of a circular or elliptical shape.
- the horizontal cross-section of the micro-lens 91 a may have a hexagonal shape, a triangular shape, or a rectangular shape, as shown in FIGS. 12( b ) and 12 ( c ).
- the horizontal cross-section of the micro-lens has a hexagonal shape or a triangular shape, it is possible to dispose the micro-lenses 91 a in a more dense arrangement.
- the shapes of the micro-lenses may be variously selected through a suitable combination of horizontal cross-sectional shapes and vertical cross-sectional shapes in consideration of ease in fabrication, light extraction efficiency, and the like.
- the micro-lens may have a vertical cross-section of a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 11( c ) and a horizontal cross-section of a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 12( c )
- the micro-lens may have a triangular pyramidal shape, that is, a tetrahedral shape.
- light extraction efficiency may be improved and light entering the micro-lenses may be more easily emitted to the outside.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 14 is a side-sectional view of the LED taken along line B-B of FIG. 13
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged side-sectional view of an upper portion of the LED of FIG. 14 .
- the light emitting diode includes a transparent electrode layer 69 , which includes a different structure from that of the exemplary embodiment described above, on the upper semiconductor layer 27 , and micro-lenses 71 a covering the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the LED according to the present exemplary embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the LED according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the transparent electrode layer 69 and the micro-lenses 71 a.
- the transparent electrode layer 69 includes a convex-concave upper surface composed of concave portions 69 a ′ and convex portions 69 b.
- the concave portion 69 a ′ has a substantially flat upper surface and the convex portion 69 b has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.
- the convex-concave surface of the transparent electrode layer 69 assists in increasing the surface area for light extraction and reducing total internal reflection to improve light extraction efficiency.
- a plurality of micro-lenses 71 a is provided to achieve further improvement in light extraction efficiency.
- the micro-lenses 71 a are generally formed to cover the concave portions 69 a ′ such that a lower edge region of each of the micro-lenses 71 a covers a side surface and a periphery of the convex portion 69 b.
- the concave portion 69 a ′ comprises a hole, which is formed by partially etching the transparent electrode layer 69 in a depth direction to have a blocked periphery and a blocked bottom, that is, a blind hole.
- the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed to completely cover the blind holes.
- the holes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a may be regularly or irregularly disposed on the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 .
- the holes 69 a may have a micrometer scale diameter (or width), for example, about 6 ⁇ m, and a distance between the holes may be about 8 ⁇ m.
- the holes 69 a may have a circular or elliptical cross-section.
- a surface defining the periphery of the hole 69 a may include an inclined surface which gradually increases the size of the hole 69 a, a reverse-inclined surface, or a vertical surface.
- the micro-lenses 71 a may have a semi-spherical convex shape to act as a convex lens.
- the micro-lenses 71 a may have a micrometer scale diameter, for example, about 9 ⁇ m, in a horizontal direction.
- the transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed of ZnO or ITO, and the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed of a material, for example SiO 2 , which has a lower refractive index than the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the refractive indices of the transparent electrode layer 69 and/or the micro-lens 71 a may be varied according to the refractive index of a material layer adjoining thereto, an ITO layer having a refractive index of 1.7 may be used as the transparent electrode layer and the refractive index of the micro-lenses may be set to be in the range of about 1 to 2.45, when the upper semiconductor layer is a GaN-based semiconductor layer having a refractive index of about 2.45.
- the micro-lenses may have insulating properties. Alternatively, however, the micro-lenses may be conductive.
- the transparent electrode layer 69 is formed with the concave portions 69 a ′, such as holesor through-holes (not shown), and the micro-lenses 71 a are formed to cover the concave portions 69 a ′, light generated in the active layer 25 may be emitted outside through the micro-lenses 71 a, thereby improving light extraction efficiency.
- FIGS. 16 and 17 are side-sectional views explaining some processes for manufacturing the LED according to the present exemplary embodiment.
- the transparent electrode layer 69 is formed of a convex-concave pattern, which includes a concave portion 69 a ′ and a convex portion 69 b.
- the other processes or operations prior to this process are the same as those of the method described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the concave portion 69 a ′ is a blind hole, the bottom of which is blocked above the lower semiconductor layer 23 .
- the convex-concave pattern on the transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed by forming the transparent electrode layer 69 on the second conductivity-type upper semiconductor layer 27 and patterning the transparent electrode layer 69 by lithography and etching to form the blind holes.
- the convex-concave pattern on the transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed by forming a photoresist pattern corresponding to a pattern of the blind holes to be formed thereon and performing a lift-off process.
- an insulation layer 71 is formed to cover the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the insulation layer 71 may cover mesa sidewalls and some regions of the first conductivity-type lower semiconductor layer 23 exposed by mesa etching.
- the insulation layer 71 may be formed of SiO 2 .
- a photoresist pattern 73 is formed on the insulation layer 71 .
- the photoresist pattern 73 covers the insulation layer 71 on the concave portion 69 a ′ and has openings which expose the insulation layer 71 on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the insulation layer 71 is etched by wet etching to form micro-lenses 71 a, as shown in FIG. 15 .
- the photoresist pattern 73 may be formed to have lens shapes using a reflow technology and may be used as a mask for dry etching the insulation layer 71 to form the micro-lenses 71 a.
- FIG. 18 shows side sectional views of various micro-lenses.
- micro-lenses 71 a on the transparent electrode layer 69 are illustrated as having a vertical cross-section of a convex shape, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape, the micro-lenses may have various shapes. These micro-lenses may have a vertical cross section, a width of which gradually decreases upwards, on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- micro-lenses 81 a have a vertical cross-section, which includes a flat upper surface and side surfaces, on the transparent electrode layer 69 , in which each of the side surfaces may comprise two inclined surfaces 83 and 85 .
- an obtuse angle may be defined between the inclined surfaces 83 and 85 .
- the inclined surface 85 may extend vertically upwards on the transparent electrode layer 69 .
- the inclined surface 85 may extend upwards from the transparent electrode layer 69 at a more inclined angle than the inclined surface 83 .
- the side surface of the micro-lens 81 a may include more than two inclined surfaces.
- at least one of the inclined surfaces 83 or 85 may be a convex surface.
- the micro-lenses 81 a may have a flat upper surface and side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface.
- the micro-lenses 81 a may have side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface and meet other side surfaces to form a pointed end.
- the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a flat surface.
- the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a convex surface.
- micro-lenses 81 a may have various shapes as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the light emitting diodes include a single first electrode pad, two second electrode pads, and first and second pad extensions, thereby ensuring uniform current spreading over a wide area of the LED without reducing a light emitting area.
- the LED includes a transparent electrode layer having concave portions and convex portions, thereby improving light extraction efficiency through the transparent electrode layer.
- the convex portions on the transparent electrode layer for example, micro-lenses disposed on holes of the transparent electrode layer, may further improve light extraction efficiency.
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Abstract
A light-emitting diode includes a substrate, and a light-emitting structure disposed on the substrate. The light-emitting structure includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A transparent electrode layer including concave portions and convex portions is disposed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. Micro-lenses are disposed on the transparent electrode layer and completely cover the concave portions, and only partially cover the convex portions that are disposed between the micro-lenses.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/209,765, filed on Aug. 15, 2011, and claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0083480, filed on Aug. 27, 2010 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0096016, filed on Oct. 1, 2010, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to light emitting diodes and, more particularly, to light emitting diodes with improved luminous efficiency.
- 2. Discussion of the Background
- Gallium nitride (GaN) based light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used in a wide range of applications including natural color LED display devices, LED traffic sign boards, white LEDs, etc.
- The GaN-based light emitting diode is generally formed by growing epitaxial layers on a substrate, for example, a sapphire substrate, and includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer interposed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. Further, an N electrode pad is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer and a P electrode pad is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer. The light emitting diode is electrically connected to and operated by an external power source through these electrode pads. Here, electric current may be directed from the P-electrode pad to the N-electrode pad through the semiconductor layers.
- Generally, since the p-type semiconductor layer may have high specific resistance, electric current may not be evenly distributed in the p-type semiconductor layer, but may be concentrated on a portion of the p-type semiconductor layer having the P-electrode formed thereon, and may cause a problem of current crowding at an edge of the p-type semiconductor layer. Current crowding may lead to a reduction in light emitting area, thereby deteriorating luminous efficiency. To solve such problems, a transparent electrode layer having low specific resistance may be formed on the p-type semiconductor layer so as to enhance current spreading. However, despite excellent electrical conductivity of the transparent electrode layer, current crowding may occur near the electrode pad, and although the transparent electrode layer may induce some degree of reflection or refraction of light, optical loss may occur due to total internal reflection caused by a difference in refractive index between the transparent electrode layer and the exterior.
- In this general structure, electric current supplied from the P-electrode pad may be dispersed by the transparent electrode layer before entering the p-type semiconductor layer, thereby increasing a light emitting area of the LED. However, since the transparent electrode layer may absorb light, the thickness of the transparent electrode layer is limited, thereby providing limited current spreading. In particular, in a large-scale LED having an area of about 1 mm2 or more, there may be a limit in achieving efficient current spreading through the transparent electrode layer.
- To assist current spreading, a large-scale LED may include pad extensions extending from the electrode pads. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0044744, applied for by Kim, et al., discloses an LED which includes pad extensions to enhance current spreading. Conventionally, the LED is provided at an upper side thereof with a transparent electrode layer in addition to the pad extensions for current spreading. The transparent electrode layer assists current spreading in cooperation with the pad extensions.
- However, pad extensions and a plurality of n-electrode pads occupying a relatively large area are generally formed by etching an active layer and an upper semiconductor layer which have a relatively wide area. Accordingly, the formation of the n-electrode pad and the pad extensions may result in a reduction in light emitting area, causing deterioration in light emitting efficiency. Alternatively, although the LED may include a plurality of n- and p-electrode pads to assist current spreading, the formation of the plural electrode pads may lead to an increase in the number of processes such as a wire-bonding process, thereby decreasing package yield. Furthermore, since the n-electrode pad and the p-electrode pad are disposed to face each other, current crowding is likely to occur between adjacent electrode pads, thereby causing uneven light emission from a central region of the light emitting diode.
- On the other hand, a patterned sapphire substrate may be used to improve LED light extraction efficiency. The pattern on the sapphire substrate scatters or reflects light generated in the active layer to reduce optical loss due to total internal reflection inside the LED, thereby improving light extraction efficiency.
- Although improvement in light extraction efficiency may be achieved by use of the patterned sapphire substrate, the relatively high refractive index of the GaN-based compound semiconductor may result in optical loss by total internal reflection inside the LED.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode which has improved luminous efficiency.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a light emitting diode which permits uniform current spreading without reducing a light emitting area.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode which has improved light extraction efficiency.
- Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a light emitting diode including a substrate having a first side edge and a second side edge. A light emitting structure is arranged on the substrate. The light emitting structure includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. Further, a transparent electrode layer is arranged on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. The transparent electrode layer may have a concave portion and a convex portion. A first electrode pad contacts an upper surface of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer and is located near a center of the first side edge. Further, two second electrode pads are located near opposite distal ends of the second side edge to supply electric current to the upper semiconductor layer. In addition, a first pad extension extends from the first electrode pad and a second pad extension extends each of from the two second electrode pads.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED. The method includes forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a lower transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, etching the lower transparent electrode layer to form nanoparticles on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming an upper transparent electrode layer to cover the nanoparticles, forming a first electrode pad and first pad extensions on the first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and forming two second electrode pads and second pad extensions on the transparent electrode layer.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED. The method includes forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, patterning the transparent electrode layer to form holes exposing the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming an insulation layer to cover the transparent electrode layer, patterning the insulation layer to form micro-lenses arranged in the holes, forming a first electrode pad and first pad extensions on the first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and forming two second electrode pads and second pad extensions on the transparent electrode layer.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a light emitting diode including a substrate, a light emitting structure arranged on the substrate and including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a transparent electrode layer arranged on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and including an upper convex-concave surface having a plurality of concave portions, and a plurality of micro-lenses arranged on the transparent electrode layer and covering the transparent electrode layer concave portions.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method of fabricating an LED including forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, etching the epitaxial layers to expose first regions of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming a transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers, forming a convex-concave surface on the transparent electrode layer, the convex-concave surface including a plurality of concave portions, and forming a plurality of micro-lenses made of a transparent material, the micro-lenses covering the concave portions.
- It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 toFIG. 6 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating an LED according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side-sectional view of the LED ofFIG. 7 . -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating the LED shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 . -
FIGS. 11( a), 11(b), and 11(c) show side-sectional views of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer including through-holes, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. -
FIGS. 12( a), 12(b), and 12(c) show plan views of various micro-lenses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 14 is a side-sectional view of the LED taken along line B-B ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged side-sectional view of an upper portion of the LED ofFIG. 14 . -
FIGS. 16 and 17 are side-sectional views explaining a process for manufacturing the LED shown inFIG. 13 toFIG. 15 . -
FIGS. 18( a), 18(b), and 18(c) show side-sectional views of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer having blind holes, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. - The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
- It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 2 is a side-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light emitting diode includes asubstrate 21, a light emitting structure, atransparent electrode layer 29, afirst electrode pad 41 and asecond electrode pad 51, afirst pad extension second pad extension insulation layer 31. In addition, the light emitting structure includes a first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23, anactive layer 25, and a second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27. Thetransparent electrode layer 29 includesnanoparticles 29 a and an uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b. - The
substrate 21 may be a patterned sapphire substrate. Thesubstrate 21 includes a first side edge E1 and a second side edge E2 facing each other at opposite sides of thesubstrate 21. In addition, thesubstrate 21 may have a rectangular shape. Thus, thesubstrate 21 may have a third side edge E3 and a fourth side edge E4, which connect the first side edge E1 and the second side edge E2. - The first conductivity-
type semiconductor layer 23 is located on thesubstrate 21 and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 is located on the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23 with theactive layer 25 interposed between the first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 23 and 27. The first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23,active layer 25 and second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may be formed of a GaN-based compound semiconductor material such as (Al, In, Ga)N. Theactive layer 25 is composed of elements emitting light at a desired wavelength, for example, ultraviolet (UV) or blue light. - The first conductivity-
type semiconductor layer 23 may be an n-type nitride semiconductor layer and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may be a p-type nitride semiconductor layer, or vice versa. - As shown in the figures, the first conductivity-
type semiconductor layer 23 and/or the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27 may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure. Further, theactive layer 25 may have a single quantum well structure or a multi-quantum well structure. The light emitting diode may further include a buffer layer (not shown) between thesubstrate 21 and the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer 23. These semiconductor layers 23, 25, 27 may be formed by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). - The second conductivity-type
upper semiconductor layer 27 andactive layer 25 of the light emitting structure may be divided to define at least two light emitting areas. These light emitting areas may have a symmetrical structure and division thereof may be carried out by mesa-etching. The first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 in a region crossing the center of the light emitting structure may be exposed by mesa-etching, so that the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27 and theactive layer 25 are divided into two areas. - Further, in the light emitting structure, some regions of the first conductivity-type
lower semiconductor layer 23 may be exposed by mesa-etching to form thefirst electrode pad 41 and thefirst pad extension - The
transparent electrode layer 29 is located on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27. Thetransparent electrode layer 29 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO) or Ni/Au and forms an ohmic contact with the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer 27. Thetransparent electrode layer 29 may include thenanoparticles 29 a and the uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b covering thenanoparticles 29 a. Thenanoparticles 29 a provide a convex-concave surface to the uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b. Thenanoparticles 29 a may have a substantially spherical shape, and the uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b has concave portions and convex portions. With this configuration, the LED has improved light extraction efficiency. - The
nanoparticles 29 a may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed. In addition, thenanoparticles 29 a may be formed, for example, in an island shape. Alternatively, the nanoparticles may be formed in a stripe shape having a nanometer scale width. - The
insulation layer 31 covers thetransparent electrode layer 29. Theinsulation layer 31 may also cover sidewalls of the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27 and theactive layer 25 exposed by mesa-etching, that is, mesa-sides thereof exposed by the mesa-etching. Theinsulation layer 31 may be formed along the convex-concave surface of thetransparent electrode layer 29 to form a convex-concave surface, thereby reducing total internal reflection of light emitted through theinsulation layer 31 in the LED. Theinsulation layer 31 may be formed of any insulating material, for example SiO2, so long as light generated in theactive layer 25 can pass through the insulating material. - Further, the
insulation layer 31 has an opening, through which thetransparent electrode layer 29 is exposed, such that thesecond pad extensions transparent electrode layer 29. In addition, thesecond electrode pads 51 may also be formed in the opening of theinsulation layer 31 to be brought into direct contact with thetransparent electrode layer 29. - The single
first electrode pad 41 and thefirst pad extensions lower semiconductor layer 23 subjected to mesa etching. Thefirst electrode pad 41 contacts an upper surface of thelower semiconductor layer 23 and is located near the center of the first side edge E1. Namely, thefirst electrode pad 41 may be located on a straight line connecting the center of the first side edge E1 and the center of thesubstrate 21, to be closer to the first side edge E1 than the center of thesubstrate 21, when seen in plan view. The center of thefirst electrode pad 41 may be located at the center of the straight line. - The first pad extension includes a first inserting
portion 41 a and a second insertingportion 41 b. The first insertingportion 41 a extends from thefirst electrode pad 41 towards the second side edge E2. When seen in plan view, the first insertingportion 41 a may cross the center of thesubstrate 21 and have a distal end closer to the center of thesubstrate 21 than to the second side edge E2. The second insertingportions 41 b extend from a portion of the first insertingportion 41 a between the center of the first insertingportion 41 a and thefirst electrode pad 41 towards opposite sides of the first insertingportion 41 a along the first side edge E1, are bent to extend towards the second side edge E2, and further bent to extend towards each other. Here, distal ends of the second insertingportions 41 b do not meet each other. A distance between the distal ends of the second insertingportions 41 b may be the same as the length of a portion of each of the second insertingportions 41 b extending from the first insertingportion 41 a along the first side edge E1. In addition, the distance from a line that connects the distal ends of the second insertingportions 41 b to each other, to the center of thesubstrate 21 may be the same as the distance from the center of thesubstrate 21 to a portion of the first insertingportion 41 a, from which the second insertingportion 41 a extends. - The two
second electrode pads 51 are located near opposite ends of the second side edge E2, respectively. Each of thesecond electrode pads 51 is located on a straight line, which connects one end of the second side edge E2 to the center of thesubstrate 21, and each of thesecond electrode pads 51 are closer to one end of the second side edge E2 than to the center of thesubstrate 21. In addition, the center of thesecond electrode pad 51 may be located on the straight line. Further, thefirst electrode pad 41 and the twosecond electrode pads 51 may be located at vertices of an isosceles triangle, respectively. - The second pad extension includes a connecting
portion 51 a, a first insertingportion 51 b, second insertingportions 51 c, and third insertingportions 51 d. The connectingportion 51 a connects the twosecond electrode pads 51 to each other. The connectingportion 51 a extends along the second side edge E2. The first insertingportion 51 b extends from a central region of the connectingportion 51 a towards the first side edge E1. The first insertingportion 51 b may be located on an imaginary elongated line of the first insertingportion 41 a of the first pad extension. A distal end of the first insertingportion 51 b is separated from the distal end of the first insertingportion 41 a of the first pad extension. Since the first insertingportion 51 b receives electric current supplied from the twosecond electrode pads 51, the first insertingportion 51 b may be formed to have a greater width than the connectingportion 51 a or other insertingportions - The second inserting
portions 51 c extend from the distal end of the first insertingportion 51 b parallel to the second side edge E2 and are then bent to extend towards the first side edge E1 to surround the distal end of the first pad extension first insertingportion 41 a. Each of the second insertingportions 51 c extends towards a region between the first and second insertingportions - The third inserting
portion 51 d extends from each of the twoelectrode pads 51 towards the first side edge E1 and is bent to extend towards thefirst electrode pad 41 along the first side edge E1. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the first pad extension and the second pad extension may be disposed to have a symmetrical structure with respect to a vertical plane taken along the first insertingportion 41 a of the first pad extension and the first insertingportion 51 b of the second pad extension, so that the LED demonstrates the same current spreading characteristics at both sides of the vertical plane. - In addition, the first and second pad extensions are alternately disposed at either side of the first inserting
portion 41 a with respect to the center of thesubstrate 21 such that the distance between the first and second pad extensions in one region on thesubstrate 21 is substantially the same as the distance therebetween in other regions on thesubstrate 21, thereby enabling uniform current spreading over a wide area of the LED. - In the present exemplary embodiment, although the
second electrode pad 51 is illustrated as being formed on thetransparent electrode layer 29, thesecond electrode pad 51 is provided to supply electric current to theupper semiconductor layer 27 and is not necessarily formed only on thetransparent electrode layer 29. That is, thesecond electrode pad 51 may be formed at any location on thesubstrate 21 so long as thesecond electrode pad 51 is insulated from the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23. For example, thesecond electrode pad 51 may be located on a region of thesubstrate 21 exposed by etching the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23, or located on the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 or thetransparent electrode layer 29, with an insulation layer, for example, theinsulation layer 31, interposed between thesecond electrode pad 51 and the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 or thetransparent electrode layer 29. It is possible to prevent current crowding near theelectrode pads 51 by preventing thesecond electrode pad 51 from directly contacting thetransparent electrode layer 29. -
FIG. 3 toFIG. 6 are sectional views explaining a method of fabricating an LED in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , epitaxial layers including a first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23, anactive layer 25 and a second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27 are grown on asubstrate 21. The epitaxial layers 23, 25, 27 may be formed by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). A buffer layer (not shown) may be formed before growing the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23. - Then, the
epitaxial layers lower semiconductor layer 23. The epitaxial layers 23, 25, 27 may be subjected to patterning through photolithography and etching. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , a lowertransparent electrode layer 28 is formed on the epitaxial layers. The lowertransparent electrode layer 28 may be formed of a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or zinc oxide (ZnO) by a lift-off process. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , the lowertransparent electrode layer 28 is subjected to patterning by wet etching or by lithography and etching to formnanoparticles 29 a. Thenanoparticles 29 a may be separated from each other and distributed in an island shape on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27. Alternatively, some of thenanoparticles 29 a may have a stripe shape having a nanoscale width. - When the lower
transparent electrode layer 28 is wet etched, the lowertransparent electrode layer 28 may be etched using a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid, instead of using a photoresist. The lowertransparent electrode layer 28 is partially rapidly etched by the strong acid, thereby formingspherical nanoparticles 29 a. Since the strong acid may remove foreign substances from mesa sidewalls or an exposed upper surface of the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23, the LED has improved electrical properties. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , an uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b is formed on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27 having thenanoparticles 29 a formed thereon. The uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b may be formed by a lift-off process and deposited corresponding to the shapes of thenanoparticles 29 a, so that the surface of the uppertransparent electrode layer 29 b has a convex-concave surface. Accordingly, atransparent electrode layer 29 having a convex-concave surface is completed. - Then, an
insulation layer 31 is formed and patterned to form openings for exposing the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 and thetransparent electrode layer 29, at places where first andsecond electrode pads first electrode pad 41 and afirst pad extension lower semiconductor layer 23, and twosecond electrode pads 51 andsecond pad extensions transparent electrode layer 29. Then, the semiconductor structure is divided into individual LEDs, thereby providing complete LEDs. -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an LED according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side-sectional view of the LED. - Referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , the LED according to the present exemplary embodiment is generally similar to the LED ofFIG. 1 . In the LED of the present exemplary embodiment, however, atransparent electrode layer 69 has holes which expose anupper semiconductor layer 27, and micro-lenses 71 are located on the holes. Specifically, according to the present exemplary embodiment, concave portions of thetransparent electrode layer 69 compriseholes 69 a (seeFIG. 9 ) and convex portions of thetransparent electrode layer 69 have a mesh shape, and the micro-lenses 71 a are disposed in theholes 69 a instead of theinsulation layer 31. In the present exemplary embodiment, although theholes 69 a are illustrated as through-holes exposing a layer under theholes 69 a, that is, theupper semiconductor layer 27, blind holes may also be used as in exemplary embodiments described below. - The
holes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a may be regularly or irregularly located on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27. Theholes 69 a may have a micrometer-scale diameter, for example, about 6 μm, and a distance between the holes may be about 8 μm. Theholes 69 a may have a circular or elliptical cross-section. - The micro-lenses 71 a may have a semi-spherical convex surface to act as a convex lens. The micro-lenses 71 a may have a micrometer-scale diameter, for example, about 9 μm, in a horizontal direction. The
transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed of ZnO or ITO, and the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed of a material, for example SiO2, which has a lower refractive index than thetransparent electrode layer 69. - As the
transparent electrode layer 69 is formed with theholes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a are located in the holes, light generated in theactive layer 25 may be emitted to the outside through the micro-lenses 71 a, thereby improving light extraction efficiency. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment described above, an interface is formed between thetransparent electrode layer 29 and theinsulation layer 31 and total internal reflection may occur at this interface, thereby causing optical loss. On the contrary, in the present exemplary embodiment, since an interface between thetransparent electrode layer 69 and the micro-lenses 71 a is reduced, optical loss occurring at the interface therebetween may be lowered. -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are side-sectional views explaining a method of fabricating the LED described above according to the present exemplary embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , epitaxial layers 23, 25, and 27 are formed on asubstrate 21 and subjected to mesa-etching to expose some regions of the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23, as described in the above exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 3 . Then, atransparent electrode layer 69 havingholes 69 a is formed on a second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27. Thetransparent electrode layer 69 and theholes 69 a may be formed at the same time by forming a photoresist pattern corresponding to a pattern of theholes 69 a to be formed thereon and performing a lift-off process. Alternatively, after forming a transparentconductive layer 69 on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27, the transparentconductive layer 69 may be subjected to patterning by lithography and etching to form theholes 69 a. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , aninsulation layer 71 is formed to cover the transparentconductive layer 69. Theinsulation layer 71 may cover mesa sidewalls and some regions of the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 exposed by mesa etching. Theinsulation layer 71 may be formed of SiO2. - Then, a
photoresist pattern 73 is formed on theinsulation layer 71. Thephotoresist pattern 73 coves theinsulation layer 71 on theholes 69 a and has openings which expose theinsulation layer 71 on thetransparent electrode layer 69. - Then, the
insulation layer 71 is etched by wet etching to form micro-lenses 71 a as shown inFIG. 8 . Alternatively, thephotoresist pattern 73 may be formed to have lens shapes using a reflow technology and may be used as a mask for dry etching theinsulation layer 71 to form the micro-lenses 71 a. -
FIGS. 11 and 12 are a side sectional view and a plan view of various micro-lenses formed on a transparent electrode layer including through-holes. - Although the micro-lenses 71 a in
FIG. 8 are illustrated as having a vertical cross-section of a convex shape, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape on thetransparent electrode layer 69, the micro-lenses 71 a may have various shapes. Thesemicro-lenses 71 a generally have a vertical cross section, a width of which gradually decreases upwards, on thetransparent electrode layer 69. - Referring to
FIG. 11( a), micro-lenses 81 a have a vertical cross-section, which includes a flat upper surface and side surfaces, on thetransparent electrode layer 69, in which each of the side surfaces may comprise twoinclined surfaces inclined surfaces inclined surface 85 may extend vertically on thetransparent electrode layer 69. Alternatively, theinclined surface 85 may extend upwards on thetransparent electrode layer 69 at a more inclined angle than theinclined surface 83. - Further, the side surface of the micro-lens 81 a may include more than two inclined surfaces. In addition, at least one of the
inclined surfaces - Further, as shown in
FIG. 11( b), the micro-lenses 81 a may have a flat upper surface and side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface. In addition, as shown inFIG. 11( c), the micro-lenses 81 a may have side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface and meet other side surfaces to form a pointed end. The single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a flat surface. Alternatively, the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a convex surface. - As shown in
FIG. 12( a), micro-lenses 91 a may have a circular or elliptical shape, when seen in plan view. That is, the micro-lens may have a horizontal cross-section of a circular or elliptical shape. The horizontal cross-section of the micro-lens 91 a may have a hexagonal shape, a triangular shape, or a rectangular shape, as shown inFIGS. 12( b) and 12(c). Particularly, when the horizontal cross-section of the micro-lens has a hexagonal shape or a triangular shape, it is possible to dispose the micro-lenses 91 a in a more dense arrangement. - The shapes of the micro-lenses may be variously selected through a suitable combination of horizontal cross-sectional shapes and vertical cross-sectional shapes in consideration of ease in fabrication, light extraction efficiency, and the like. For example, when the micro-lens has a vertical cross-section of a triangular shape as shown in
FIG. 11( c) and a horizontal cross-section of a triangular shape as shown inFIG. 12( c), the micro-lens may have a triangular pyramidal shape, that is, a tetrahedral shape. As a result, light extraction efficiency may be improved and light entering the micro-lenses may be more easily emitted to the outside. - Next, a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. In description of the present exemplary embodiment, detailed description of components described above will be omitted herein.
-
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 14 is a side-sectional view of the LED taken along line B-B ofFIG. 13 , andFIG. 15 is an enlarged side-sectional view of an upper portion of the LED ofFIG. 14 . - Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14 , the light emitting diode includes atransparent electrode layer 69, which includes a different structure from that of the exemplary embodiment described above, on theupper semiconductor layer 27, and micro-lenses 71 a covering thetransparent electrode layer 69. The LED according to the present exemplary embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the LED according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2 except for thetransparent electrode layer 69 and the micro-lenses 71 a. - Referring to
FIG. 15 , thetransparent electrode layer 69 includes a convex-concave upper surface composed ofconcave portions 69 a′ andconvex portions 69 b. Theconcave portion 69 a′ has a substantially flat upper surface and theconvex portion 69 b has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. The convex-concave surface of thetransparent electrode layer 69 assists in increasing the surface area for light extraction and reducing total internal reflection to improve light extraction efficiency. Additionally, according to the present exemplary embodiment, a plurality ofmicro-lenses 71 a is provided to achieve further improvement in light extraction efficiency. The micro-lenses 71 a are generally formed to cover theconcave portions 69 a′ such that a lower edge region of each of the micro-lenses 71 a covers a side surface and a periphery of theconvex portion 69 b. In the present exemplary embodiment, theconcave portion 69 a′ comprises a hole, which is formed by partially etching thetransparent electrode layer 69 in a depth direction to have a blocked periphery and a blocked bottom, that is, a blind hole. At this time, the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed to completely cover the blind holes. - The
holes 69 a and the micro-lenses 71 a may be regularly or irregularly disposed on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27. Theholes 69 a may have a micrometer scale diameter (or width), for example, about 6 μm, and a distance between the holes may be about 8 μm. Theholes 69 a may have a circular or elliptical cross-section. A surface defining the periphery of thehole 69 a may include an inclined surface which gradually increases the size of thehole 69 a, a reverse-inclined surface, or a vertical surface. - The micro-lenses 71 a may have a semi-spherical convex shape to act as a convex lens. The micro-lenses 71 a may have a micrometer scale diameter, for example, about 9 μm, in a horizontal direction. The
transparent electrode layer 69 may be formed of ZnO or ITO, and the micro-lenses 71 a may be formed of a material, for example SiO2, which has a lower refractive index than thetransparent electrode layer 69. Although the refractive indices of thetransparent electrode layer 69 and/or the micro-lens 71 a may be varied according to the refractive index of a material layer adjoining thereto, an ITO layer having a refractive index of 1.7 may be used as the transparent electrode layer and the refractive index of the micro-lenses may be set to be in the range of about 1 to 2.45, when the upper semiconductor layer is a GaN-based semiconductor layer having a refractive index of about 2.45. The micro-lenses may have insulating properties. Alternatively, however, the micro-lenses may be conductive. - Since the
transparent electrode layer 69 is formed with theconcave portions 69 a′, such as holesor through-holes (not shown), and the micro-lenses 71 a are formed to cover theconcave portions 69 a′, light generated in theactive layer 25 may be emitted outside through the micro-lenses 71 a, thereby improving light extraction efficiency. -
FIGS. 16 and 17 are side-sectional views explaining some processes for manufacturing the LED according to the present exemplary embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 16 , thetransparent electrode layer 69 is formed of a convex-concave pattern, which includes aconcave portion 69 a′ and aconvex portion 69 b. The other processes or operations prior to this process are the same as those of the method described above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4 . - Referring again to
FIG. 16 , theconcave portion 69 a′ is a blind hole, the bottom of which is blocked above thelower semiconductor layer 23. The convex-concave pattern on thetransparent electrode layer 69 may be formed by forming thetransparent electrode layer 69 on the second conductivity-typeupper semiconductor layer 27 and patterning thetransparent electrode layer 69 by lithography and etching to form the blind holes. Alternatively, the convex-concave pattern on thetransparent electrode layer 69 may be formed by forming a photoresist pattern corresponding to a pattern of the blind holes to be formed thereon and performing a lift-off process. - Referring to
FIG. 17 , aninsulation layer 71, more preferably, a transparent insulation layer, is formed to cover thetransparent electrode layer 69. Theinsulation layer 71 may cover mesa sidewalls and some regions of the first conductivity-typelower semiconductor layer 23 exposed by mesa etching. Theinsulation layer 71 may be formed of SiO2. - Then, a
photoresist pattern 73 is formed on theinsulation layer 71. Thephotoresist pattern 73 covers theinsulation layer 71 on theconcave portion 69 a′ and has openings which expose theinsulation layer 71 on thetransparent electrode layer 69. - Then, the
insulation layer 71 is etched by wet etching to form micro-lenses 71 a, as shown inFIG. 15 . Alternatively, thephotoresist pattern 73 may be formed to have lens shapes using a reflow technology and may be used as a mask for dry etching theinsulation layer 71 to form the micro-lenses 71 a. -
FIG. 18 shows side sectional views of various micro-lenses. - Although the micro-lenses 71 a on the
transparent electrode layer 69 are illustrated as having a vertical cross-section of a convex shape, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape, the micro-lenses may have various shapes. These micro-lenses may have a vertical cross section, a width of which gradually decreases upwards, on thetransparent electrode layer 69. - Referring to
FIG. 18( a), micro-lenses 81 a have a vertical cross-section, which includes a flat upper surface and side surfaces, on thetransparent electrode layer 69, in which each of the side surfaces may comprise twoinclined surfaces inclined surfaces inclined surface 85 may extend vertically upwards on thetransparent electrode layer 69. Alternatively, theinclined surface 85 may extend upwards from thetransparent electrode layer 69 at a more inclined angle than theinclined surface 83. - Further, the side surface of the micro-lens 81 a may include more than two inclined surfaces. In addition, at least one of the
inclined surfaces - Further, as shown in
FIG. 18( b), the micro-lenses 81 a may have a flat upper surface and side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface. In addition, as shown inFIG. 18( c), the micro-lenses 81 a may have side surfaces, each of which comprises a single inclined surface and meet other side surfaces to form a pointed end. The single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a flat surface. Alternatively, the single inclined surface of the micro-lens 81 a may be a convex surface. - Further, the micro-lenses 81 a may have various shapes as shown in
FIG. 12 . - According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the light emitting diodes include a single first electrode pad, two second electrode pads, and first and second pad extensions, thereby ensuring uniform current spreading over a wide area of the LED without reducing a light emitting area. In addition, the LED includes a transparent electrode layer having concave portions and convex portions, thereby improving light extraction efficiency through the transparent electrode layer. Moreover, the convex portions on the transparent electrode layer, for example, micro-lenses disposed on holes of the transparent electrode layer, may further improve light extraction efficiency.
- Although the invention has been illustrated with reference to some exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and are given to provide complete disclosure of the invention and to provide thorough understanding of the invention to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is intended that the invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (13)
1. A light-emitting diode, comprising:
a substrate;
a light-emitting structure disposed on the substrate, the light-emitting structure comprising a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer;
a transparent electrode layer disposed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, the transparent electrode comprising an upper surface comprising concave portions and convex portions; and
micro-lenses disposed on the transparent electrode layer and completely covering the concave portions, and only partially covering the convex portions that are disposed between the micro-lenses.
2. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the transparent electrode layer concave portions comprise blind holes having a depth less than a thickness of the transparent electrode layer.
3. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the transparent electrode layer concave portions comprise through-holes in the transparent electrode layer.
4. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the micro-lenses comprise a material having a lower refractive index than the transparent electrode layer.
5. The light-emitting diode of claim 4 , wherein the micro-lenses comprise SiO2.
6. The light-emitting diode of claim 4 , wherein the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer comprises a GaN-based semiconductor layer, the transparent electrode layer comprises an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, and the micro-lenses comprise SiO2.
7. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the micro-lenses comprise a vertical cross-section comprising a width that decreases in a direction extending away from the substrate.
8. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the micro-lenses comprise a vertical cross-section comprising at least two inclined surfaces having an obtuse angle defined therebetween.
9. The light-emitting diode of claim 1 , wherein the micro-lenses comprise a horizontal cross-section having a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape, or a triangular shape.
10. A method of fabricating a light-emitting diode (LED), the method comprising:
forming epitaxial layers on a substrate, the epitaxial layers comprising a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer;
etching the epitaxial layers to expose the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer;
forming a transparent electrode layer on the epitaxial layers;
etching the transparent electrode layer to form concave portions and convex portions; and
forming micro-lenses comprising a transparent material on the transparent electrode layer, the micro-lenses completely covering the concave portions and only partially covering the convex portions.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein etching the transparent electrode layer comprises forming blind holes.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein etching the transparent electrode layer comprises exposing the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer to form through-holes.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein forming the micro-lenses comprises:
forming a transparent insulation layer covering the transparent electrode layer; and
etching the transparent insulation layer to form the micro-lenses at positions corresponding to the concave portions.
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US14/309,658 US20140299905A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2014-06-19 | Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency |
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KR1020100083480A KR101171330B1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2010-08-27 | Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency |
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KR1020100096016A KR101106138B1 (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2010-10-01 | Light emitting diode and improved manufacturing method having improved luminous efficiency |
KR10-2010-0096016 | 2010-10-01 | ||
US13/209,765 US8878220B2 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2011-08-15 | Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency |
US14/309,658 US20140299905A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2014-06-19 | Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency |
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US14/309,658 Abandoned US20140299905A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2014-06-19 | Light emitting diode with improved luminous efficiency |
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JP6011108B2 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2016-10-19 | 日亜化学工業株式会社 | Semiconductor element |
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JP6102677B2 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2017-03-29 | 日亜化学工業株式会社 | Light emitting element |
CN110265517B (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2024-03-29 | 晶元光电股份有限公司 | Light emitting element |
TWI597864B (en) * | 2013-08-27 | 2017-09-01 | 晶元光電股份有限公司 | Light-emitting element having a plurality of light-emitting structures |
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US11329195B2 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2022-05-10 | Epistar Corporation | Semiconductor light-emitting device |
TWI616004B (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2018-02-21 | 晶元光電股份有限公司 | Semiconductor light-emitting element |
JP6458463B2 (en) * | 2013-12-09 | 2019-01-30 | 日亜化学工業株式会社 | Light emitting element |
KR102145919B1 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2020-08-19 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | A light emitting device package |
JP2016072479A (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2016-05-09 | 日亜化学工業株式会社 | Light emitting element |
CN110690250A (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2020-01-14 | 首尔伟傲世有限公司 | Light-emitting elements and light-emitting diodes |
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CN108140699B (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2020-09-25 | Lg伊诺特有限公司 | Light emitting device, light emitting element package, and lighting apparatus |
TWI590433B (en) * | 2015-10-12 | 2017-07-01 | 財團法人工業技術研究院 | Light-emitting element and display method |
KR20180073866A (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2018-07-03 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | Semiconductor device |
US10505092B2 (en) * | 2017-01-24 | 2019-12-10 | Epistar Corporation | Light-emitting diode device |
TWI778010B (en) | 2017-01-26 | 2022-09-21 | 晶元光電股份有限公司 | Light-emitting device |
TWI621249B (en) * | 2017-03-27 | 2018-04-11 | 英屬開曼群島商錼創科技股份有限公司 | Miniature LED and display panel |
US20190189850A1 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-06-20 | Epistar Corporation | Light-emitting device |
JP6912731B2 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2021-08-04 | 日亜化学工業株式会社 | Semiconductor light emitting device |
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CN109085224B (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2023-11-03 | 浙江大学 | Sensitive microelectrode for ATP detection in cell surface area |
CN118136756A (en) * | 2021-09-26 | 2024-06-04 | 泉州三安半导体科技有限公司 | Light emitting diode, light emitting module and display device |
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US20120049223A1 (en) | 2012-03-01 |
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