Method and apparatus for providing a patterned electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer over a lighting semiconductor device

1. A device, comprising:

a first conductive layer deposited over a substrate;

an active layer deposited over said first conductive layer and configured to convert electrical energy to light;

a second conductive layer having a first surface overlying said active layer and a second surface opposite to said first surface;

an electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer directly or indirectly overlies said second surface of said second conductive layer, wherein said second surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer includes a pattern having a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions and a plurality of thin regions, wherein the plurality of thin regions occupies approximately fifty percent (50%) of the pattern, wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are configured to distribute at least a portion of electric current to said plurality of thin regions;

a first electrode coupled to said second surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer; and

a second electrode coupled to said first conductive layer.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer is an indium tin oxide (“ITO”) layer capable of spreading electrical current over said second surface of said second conductive layer.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions of said pattern is situated adjacent to said plurality of thin regions of said pattern.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein a range of thickness for said thick regions is from 5 to 5000 angstroms (“Å”).

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein a range of thickness for said thin regions is from 5 to 5000 angstroms (“Å”).

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first conductive layer is an n-type gallium nitride (“GaN”) layer.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second conductive layer is a p-type GaN layer.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said pattern includes a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions arranged in triangle shape.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said pattern includes a plurality of electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent fingers.

10. A light emitting diode (“LED”) lamp, comprising:

a package; and

an LED apparatus coupled to the package and including:

a first conductive layer deposited over a substrate;

an active layer deposited over said first conductive layer and configured to convert electrical energy to light;

a second conductive layer having a first surface overlying said active layer and a second surface opposite to said first surface;

an electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer overlies said second surface of said second conductive layer, wherein said second surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer includes a pattern having a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions and a plurality of thin regions, wherein the plurality of thin regions occupies approximately fifty percent (50%) of the pattern wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are configured to distribute at least a portion of electric current to said plurality of thin regions;

a first electrode coupled to said second surface of said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer; and

a second electrode coupled to said first conductive layer.

11. The lamp of claim 10 , wherein said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer is an indium tin oxide (“ITO”) layer capable of spreading electrical current over said second surface of said second conductive layer.

12. The lamp of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions of said pattern is situated adjacent to said plurality of thin regions of said pattern.

13. The lamp of claim 12 , wherein a range of thickness for said thick regions is from 5 to 5000 angstroms (“Å”).

14. The lamp of claim 12 , wherein a range of thickness for said thin regions is from 5 to 5000 angstroms (“Å”).

15. The lamp of claim 10 , wherein said pattern includes a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions arranged in triangle shapes.

16. An illumination device capable of emitting light comprising the LED lamp of claim 10 .

17. A street light capable of illuminating a section of a street comprising the LED lamp of claim 10 .

18. A lighting device, comprising:

a light emitting layer capable of generating optical light in response to an electric current; and

an electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer dispensed over said light emitting layer for distributing said electrical current;

wherein said electrically conductive and optically transparent or semi-transparent layer is structured with a geometric pattern including a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions and a plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions, wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are configured to distribute at least a portion of electric current to said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions, wherein the plurality of thin regions occupies approximately fifty percent (50%) of the pattern.

19. The device of claim 18 , wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions have approximately same height.

20. The device of claim 19 , wherein said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions have approximately same height.

21. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions are shaped in triangles.

22. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are shaped in triangles.

23. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions are shaped in squares.

24. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are shaped in squares.

25. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thin regions are shaped in circles.

26. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of said plurality of pre-defined geometric shaped thick regions are shaped in circles.