IP Library Granted Patent US 7,923,716
Granted Patent B2
US 7,923,716 · App. 12/188,698 · Granted Apr 12, 2011

Nitride semiconductor device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,923,716
App. No.
12/188,698
Granted
Apr 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided a nitride semiconductor device including: an n-type nitride semiconductor layer; a p-type nitride semiconductor layer; and an active layer formed between the n-type and p-type nitride semiconductor layers, the active layer including a plurality of quantum well layers and at least one quantum barrier layer deposited alternately with each other, wherein the active layer includes a first quantum well layer, a second quantum well layer formed adjacent to the first quantum well layer toward the p-type nitride semiconductor layer and having a quantum level higher than a quantum level of the first quantum well layer, and a tunneling quantum barrier layer formed between the first and second quantum well layers and having a thickness enabling a carrier to be tunneled therethrough.

Claims (33)

1. A nitride semiconductor device comprising:

an n-type nitride semiconductor layer;

a p-type nitride semiconductor layer; and

an active layer formed between the n-type and p-type nitride semiconductor layers, the active layer comprising a plurality of quantum well layers and at least one quantum barrier layer deposited alternately with each other,

wherein the active layer comprises a first quantum well layer, a second quantum well layer formed adjacent to the first quantum well layer toward the p-type nitride semiconductor layer and having a zero quantum level higher than a zero quantum level of the first quantum well layer, and a tunneling quantum barrier layer formed between the first and second quantum well layers and having a thickness enabling a carrier to be tunneled therethrough,

wherein the first quantum well layer has the same band gap energy as that of the second quantum well layer.

2. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the active layer comprises a plurality of quantum barrier layers, and one of the quantum barrier layers is formed adjacent to the second quantum well layer toward the p-type nitride semiconductor layer,

wherein the one quantum barrier layer is a crystal quality improvement layer having a thickness greater than a thickness of the tunneling quantum barrier layer.

3. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 2 , wherein

the active layer comprises the first quantum well layer, the tunneling quantum barrier layer, the second quantum well layer and the crystal quality improvement layer as one unit structure, and has the unit structure repeated at least once.

4. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 3 , wherein

the unit structure is repeated one to thirty times.

5. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the second quantum well layer has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first quantum well layer.

6. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the first quantum well layer has a thickness of 20 to 60 Å.

7. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the second quantum well layer has a thickness of 10 to 50 Å.

8. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the tunneling quantum barrier layer has a thickness of 10 to 80 Å.

9. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the crystal quality improvement layer has a thickness of 30 to 200 Å.

10. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the second quantum well layer has the quantum level defined by doping.

11. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein

the active layer further comprises:

a third quantum well layer formed adjacent to the first quantum well layer toward the n-type nitride semiconductor layer and having a quantum level higher than a quantum level of the first quantum well layer; and

a second tunneling quantum barrier layer formed between the first and third quantum well layers and having a thickness enabling a carrier to be tunneled therethrough.

12. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 11 ,

wherein the third quantum well layer has a thickness of 10 to 50 Å.

13. The nitride semiconductor device of claim 11 ,

wherein the second tunneling quantum barrier layer has a thickness of 10 to 80 Å.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Aug 7, 2012
From: SAMSUNG LED CO., LTD.
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 028744/0272 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2010
From: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
To: SAMSUNG LED CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024723/0532 →