AlGaN UV LED Layer Composition Gradient for Vertical Substrate Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultraviolet light emitting devices face challenges in achieving vertical realization and maintaining crystallinity during the substrate separation process, leading to reduced optical output power and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device structure is designed with a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer, where the second conductive semiconductor layer includes a 2-2 layer with higher aluminum composition and a 2-1 layer with lower aluminum composition, optimized to enhance light emission and reduce absorption, along with specific thickness and composition gradients to improve crystallinity and optical output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional ultraviolet light emitting device structure is used, then the device can be manufactured with standard processes, but the crystallinity decreases during substrate separation and vertical realization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecrystallinityVSAvoidsubstrate separation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional layers including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer with multiple quantum wells, and a second conductive semiconductor layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall device integrity during substrate separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the semiconductor structure have different aluminum compositions optimized for their specific functions. The barrier layers have higher aluminum composition (30-70%) for better hole blocking, while the well layers have lower aluminum composition (10-50%) for efficient light emission, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and crystallinity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the aluminum composition is increased to improve hole blocking capability, then carrier confinement improves, but light absorption increases reducing optical output power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier confinementVSAvoidlight absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The aluminum composition is locally optimized in different layers: barrier layers have higher aluminum content (30-70%) for effective hole blocking and carrier confinement, while well layers have lower aluminum content (10-50%) to minimize light absorption and maximize optical output power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The aluminum composition parameter is varied across different layers and even within layers to achieve optimal performance. By changing the aluminum composition gradient, the device achieves both effective carrier confinement and minimal light absorption losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple layer structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but optical output power and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer structure complexityVSAvoidoptical output power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The active region is segmented into multiple quantum well layers separated by barrier layers, creating a multi-layer structure that enhances carrier confinement and recombination efficiency, thereby increasing optical output power while remaining manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses composite AlGaN structures with varying aluminum compositions in different layers. This composite approach combines the advantages of high aluminum content layers for carrier blocking and low aluminum content layers for efficient light emission, achieving high optical output power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The structure enables the production of a vertical ultraviolet light emitting device with enhanced optical output power by minimizing light absorption and maintaining high crystallinity, thereby improving the device's efficiency and performance.

Implementation Method 1

an active layer disposed between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer. The active layer may include a plurality of barrier layers and a plurality of well layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The barrier layers, the well layers, the 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer, and the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer may include AlGaN. The 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer may have a higher aluminum composition than the well layers, and the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer may have a lower aluminum composition than the well layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4102580A1Semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 SUZHOU LEKIN SEMICON CO LTD
  • EP4102580A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4102580A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4102580A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are a semiconductor device including a semiconductor structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor device package including the semiconductor device. The active layer includes a plurality of barrier layers and a plurality of well layers. The second conductive semiconductor layer includes a 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer and a 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer disposed on the 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer. The barrier layers, the well layers, the 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer, and the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer include AlGaN. The 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer has a higher aluminum composition than the well layers, and the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer has a lower aluminum composition than the well layers. The aluminum composition of the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer decreases with a first slope as the 2-1 conductive semiconductor layer is further away from the active layer, and the aluminum composition of the 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer decreases with a second slope as the 2-2 conductive semiconductor layer is further away from the active layer, wherein the first slope is greater than the second slope.