Light-Emitting Electrode Layout to Block Thinned Nano-Column Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor lasers with nano-columns face issues with light emission due to over-etching, leading to thinned nano-columns and potential shifts in wavelength or deterioration in emission intensity.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device is designed with a substrate, a laminated structure including a light emitting layer, a first electrode for injecting electrical current, and a wiring layer with a light shielding property. The wiring layer has a first opening part for light emission, located inside the outer edge of the first electrode in a plan view, effectively blocking light from thinned nano-columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the p-side electrode is formed by etching, then electrical contact is established with the nano-columns, but the nano-columns at the outer edge are thinned due to over-etching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wiring layer as an intermediary component between the p-side electrode and the nano-columns. This wiring layer includes a light-shielding film that prevents etching damage to the nano-columns while still allowing electrical contact through designated openings. The intermediary layer thus protects the nano-columns from over-etching while maintaining the necessary electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a light-shielding film to the wiring layer before the etching process. This preliminary action ensures that the nano-columns are protected from etching damage before the actual electrode formation occurs. The light-shielding film is removed only in specific areas where electrical contact is needed, thus preventing over-etching of the nano-columns while establishing proper electrical contact.
2Reliability
If the wiring layer is positioned to block light from thinned nano-columns, then wavelength shift is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connectivity through openings, shields light from thinned nano-columns using the light-shielding film, and maintains structural integrity. By combining these functions in a single layer, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving wavelength stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrical wiring function with the light-shielding function into a single integrated wiring layer structure. The light-shielding film is integrated directly into the wiring layer, eliminating the need for separate shielding components and thus reducing device complexity while maintaining wavelength stability.
3Reliability
If the first opening part is located inside the outer edge of the first electrode, then light from thinned nano-columns is blocked, but the opening part reduces the effective light emission area
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring layer is designed with spatially varying properties: the light-shielding film is present in areas where nano-columns may be thinned (outer regions), while openings are provided in areas where healthy nano-columns are located (inner regions). This local differentiation allows the system to block light from thinned areas while preserving light emission from healthy areas, thus maintaining emission quality without significantly reducing effective emission area.
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
This configuration reduces the likelihood of wavelength shift and emission intensity deterioration by blocking light from thinned nano-columns, while also reducing distortion in the light emitting layer and enhancing the transmittance of the electrode structure.
Implementation Method 1
a wiring layer which is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and has a light shielding property with respect to light generated in the light emitting layer
Implementation Method 2
a semiconductor laser to which nano-columns are applied is expected to be able to realize narrow-radiation angle high-power light emission due to an effect of a photonic crystal derived from the nano-columns
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a laminated structure which is provided to the substrate, and includes a light emitting layer, a first electrode which has contact with the laminated structure at an opposite side of the laminated structure to the substrate, and is configured to inject an electrical current into the light emitting layer, and a wiring layer which is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and has a light shielding property with respect to light generated in the light emitting layer, wherein the wiring layer is provided with a first opening part which the light emitted from the laminated structure passes through, and the first opening part is located inside an outer edge of the first electrode in a plan view.