Gallium-containing light-emitting semiconductor device and method of fabrication

Abstract

An LED comprising a light-generating semiconductor region having an active layer sandwiched between two confining layers of opposite conductivity types. A cathode is arranged centrally on one of the opposite major surfaces of the semiconductor region from which is emitted the light. An array of discrete gold regions are formed via transition metal regions on the other major surface of the semiconductor region at which is exposed one of the confining layers which is of n-type AlGaInP semiconductor material. The gold is thermally diffused into the confining layer via the transition metal regions at a temperature less than the eutectic point of gold and gallium, thereby creating an array of ohmic contact regions of alloyed or intermingled gold and gallium, which are less absorptive of light than their conventional counterparts, to a thickness of 20 to 1000 angstroms. After removing the transition metal regions and gold regions from the surface of the light-generating semiconductor region, a reflective layer of aluminum is formed so as to cover both the ohmic contact regions and the exposed surface portions of the AlGaInP confining layer. An electroconductive base-plate of doped silicon is then bonded to the reflective layer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of Application PCT / JP2003 / 014890, filed Nov. 21, 2003, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-348416 filed Nov. 29, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a light-emitting semiconductor device, or light-emitting diode (LED) according to more common parlance, and more particularly to such devices employing gallium-containing compound semiconductors. The invention also concerns a method of making such light-emitting semiconductor devices. [0003] The LED has been known which has a light-generating semiconductor region grown on a substrate of electrically conducting material such as gallium arsenide. Typically, the light-generating semiconductor region has an active layer sandwiched between an n-type cladding or lower confining layer, which overlies the substrate, and a p-type cladding or upper confining layer. An anode is mounted centrally atop the upper confining lay...

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