IP Library Granted Patent US 8,227,823
Granted Patent B2
US 8,227,823 · App. 12/619,955 · Granted Jul 24, 2012

Semiconductor light-emitting device

Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,227,823
App. No.
12/619,955
Granted
Jul 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The semiconductor light-emitting structure has a plurality of compound semiconductor layers; a current spreading layer comprising a multi-layered transparent electrode layer on the plurality of compound semiconductor layers and a metal layer between the transparent electrode layers; and a second electrode electrically connected to the current spreading layer.

Claims (49)

1. A semiconductor light-emitting device, comprising:

a plurality of compound semiconductor layers comprising a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer;

a current spreading layer disposed on the plurality of compound semiconductor layers, the current spreading layer comprising a plurality of transparent electrode layers and a metal layer between the plurality of transparent electrode layers; and

an electrode electrically connected to the current spreading layer,

wherein the electrode directly contacts a top surface of the second conductive semiconductor layer, and

wherein the plurality of transparent electrode layers and the metal layer each have a hole, and a portion of the electrode is disposed in the hole.

2. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transparent electrode layers comprise a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) material.

3. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transparent electrode layers comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), indium aluminum zinc oxide (IAZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), and antimony tin oxide (ATO).

4. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Ni, and Al.

5. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layer comprises a thickness of 10 nm or less.

6. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes a multi-branched pattern.

7. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes a multi-layer structure having at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Ag alloy, Ni, Al, Al alloy, Rh, Pd, Ir, Ru, Mg, Zn, Pt, Au, and Hf, or an alloy thereof.

8. A semiconductor light-emitting device, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of compound semiconductor layers comprising a first conductive semiconductor layer on the substrate, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer;

a first electrode connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer;

a first transparent electrode layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer;

a metal layer on the first transparent electrode layer;

a second transparent electrode layer on the metal layer; and

a second electrode electrically connected to the second conductive semiconductor layer,

wherein the first electrode is formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer,

wherein the second electrode comprises a second electrode pad and directly contacts at least one of the second conductive semiconductor layer, the first transparent electrode layer, and the metal layer, and

wherein the first transparent electrode layer, the metal layer and the second transparent electrode layer each have a hole, and a portion of the second electrode is disposed in the hole.

9. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein:

the metal layer has a thickness of 10 nm or less, and

light emission of the first transparent electrode layer, the metal layer, and the second transparent electrode layer exceeds more than 90%.

10. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein:

the metal layer comprises any one of Ni, Al, and Ag, and

the first and second transparent electrode layers comprise a conductive oxide having at least one selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), indium aluminum zinc oxide (IAZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), and antimony tin oxide (ATO).

11. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the first conductive semiconductor layer comprises an N-type semiconductor layer using a group III-V compound semiconductor.

12. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the second electrode directly contacts a top surface of second conductive semiconductor layer.

13. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the second transparent electrode layer is formed in a mesh pattern having a hole and directly contacts the second electrode.

14. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein the second electrode contacts at least one of the first transparent electrode layer and the metal layer.

15. A semiconductor light-emitting device, comprising:

a plurality of compound semiconductor layers comprising a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive semiconductor layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer;

a current spreading layer disposed on the plurality of compound semiconductor layers and having a hole;

a first electrode connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer; and

a second electrode connected to the current spreading layer and disposed in the hole,

wherein the second electrode is disposed on a portion of the plurality of compound semiconductor layers,

wherein the current spreading layer comprises a first transparent electrode layer on the plurality of compound semiconductor layers, a light-transmissive metal layer on the first transparent electrode layer, and a second transparent electrode layer on the light transmissive metal layer,

wherein the second electrode directly contacts a top surface of the plurality of compound semiconductor layer, and

wherein the first transparent electrode layer, the light-transmissive metal layer and the second transparent electrode layer each have a hole, and a portion of the second electrode is disposed in the hole.

16. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 15 , wherein:

the light-transmissive metal layer comprises any one of Ni, Al, and Ag, and has a thickness of 10 nm or less.

17. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 16 ,

wherein at least one of the first and second transparent electrode layers is 200nm thick or less.

18. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 15 , wherein the second transparent electrode layer is formed of a material identical to the material of the first transparent electrode layer.

19. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 15 , wherein the second transparent electrode layer is formed of a material different from the material of the first transparent electrode layer.

20. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of compound semiconductor layers are formed of a nitride-based semiconductor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2009
From: BAE, JUNG HYEOK
To: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 023541/0489 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2008-0114616 · Nov 18, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100123166A1 · May 20, 2010