LED Electrode Protrusion for Uniform Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) face reduced current efficiency due to high resistance in the first conductive semiconductor layer, leading to non-uniform current distribution and increased forward voltage, which limits their performance in applications such as displays and lighting.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a light emitting device structure featuring a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, a current blocking region, and a first electrode layer with a protrusion that extends towards the first conductive semiconductor layer, allowing for improved current distribution and reduced resistance across the active layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional LED structure with a first conductive semiconductor layer, active layer, and second conductive semiconductor layer is used, then the device can generate light from the active layer, but the high resistance of the first conductive semiconductor layer causes non-uniform current distribution and increased forward voltage, reducing current efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode layer is divided into multiple electrode patterns (first, second, third electrode patterns) that are spatially separated and distributed across the first conductive semiconductor layer. This segmentation allows current to be injected at multiple locations simultaneously, improving current distribution uniformity and reducing the impact of high resistance in any single region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode patterns are positioned at specific locations on the first conductive semiconductor layer to create localized current injection zones. The electrode patterns are strategically placed to address regions with higher resistance, ensuring that current is supplied where needed most to achieve uniform distribution across the active layer.
2Reliability
If the first conductive semiconductor layer has high resistance, then the device structure remains simple, but current concentrates around the electrode layer and adjacent regions, increasing forward voltage and reducing current efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is segmented into multiple distinct electrode patterns that distribute current injection across different regions of the first conductive semiconductor layer. This prevents current concentration around a single electrode and reduces the overall forward voltage required to drive current through the high-resistance layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patterns extend in multiple directions and cover a broader area on the first conductive semiconductor layer, transitioning from a point-source or line-source current injection to a distributed areal current injection. This dimensional expansion of current injection pathways reduces resistance effects and forward voltage.
3Reliability
If current is concentrated around the electrode layer due to high resistance, then the device structure remains simple, but current efficiency is reduced and heat emission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current path is segmented into multiple parallel pathways through the distribution of electrode patterns across the first conductive semiconductor layer. This segmentation disperses the current flow, preventing localized current concentration and the associated heat generation in any single region, thereby reducing overall heat emission.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrode patterns are strategically positioned to address local regions where current concentration and heat generation are most problematic. By creating localized current injection zones in high-resistance areas, the invention prevents current crowding and reduces heat emission in critical regions.
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 enhances current efficiency and light efficiency by ensuring current flows uniformly across the broad region of the active layer, reducing forward voltage and improving reliability by preventing heat emission and electrostatic discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitting diode having a light emitting structure layer formed by stacking a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer, generates light from the active layer, using power that is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device according to the embodiment includes a first conductive semiconductor layer; an active layer under the first conductive semiconductor layer; a second conductive semiconductor layer under the active layer; a current blocking region under the second conductive semiconductor layer; a second electrode layer under the second conductive semiconductor layer and the current blocking region; and a first electrode layer including a protrusion protruding toward the first conductive semiconductor layer arranged, on the first conductive semiconductor layer.