Optoelectronic Component Mirror Layer Radiant Power Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optoelectronic components face challenges in achieving high specific emissivity while being produced in a simplified and cost-effective manner, as they often suffer from reduced radiant power due to absorption by contacts and lack of efficient radiation coupling.

Innovation Solution

The design features a semiconductor body with an active region and two electrical contacts on a common connection side, where the mirrored side is reflective, directing radiation back into the component and increasing radiant power coupling via a mirror layer with high reflectivity, and a method for producing such components with a mirror layer applied to a composite element before separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a mirrored side surface is provided to increase specific emissivity, then radiant power coupling is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mirror layer deposition processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiant power lossVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mirror layer deposition with the existing semiconductor manufacturing process by applying the mirror layer to the composite element before separation. This integrates the optical enhancement function into the standard production flow, reducing overall process complexity while achieving high radiant power coupling through the mirrored side surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If contacts are arranged on a common connection side, then ease of manufacture is improved, but radiant power is reduced due to contact absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidradiant power absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of contact absorption by positioning both contacts on the common connection side opposite to the mirrored side. The mirror then reflects any radiation that would otherwise be lost back into the component, turning the potential loss into a benefit by increasing the path length and coupling efficiency of the radiant power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If a mirror layer is deposited on the composite element before separation, then productivity is improved through batch processing, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidmirror layer uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the mirror layer deposition on the composite element before separation into individual components. This preliminary action allows batch processing of multiple components simultaneously, improving productivity. The uniform application of the mirror layer across the entire composite surface ensures consistent optical properties are achieved across all separated components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enhances specific emission by reducing radiation loss on the mirrored side and allows for cost-effective production of optoelectronic components with increased radiant power coupling, avoiding absorption by contacts and simplifying the production process.

Implementation Method 1

Radiation striking the mirrored side of the component is reflected back into the component due to the mirroring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The mirror layer is preferably deposited on the device, e.g. B. by means of a PVD or CVD method (PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition; CVD: Chemical Vapor Deposition), such as sputtering, vapor deposition or reactive sputtering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapor Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

a semiconductor body, which has an active region suitable for generating radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2149160B1Optoelectronic component and method for producing a plurality of optoelectronic components
Publication Date: 2017.01.04 OSRAM OPTO SEMICON GMBH & CO OHG
  • EP2149160B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2149160B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2149160B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to an optoelectronic component (1) comprising a semiconductor body (2) with an active region (4) that is suitable for generating radiation and two electric contacts (7, 8) situated on the semiconductor body. The contacts are connected to the active region in an electrically conductive manner, each contact has a connection surface (70, 80) facing away from the semiconductor body, the connection surfaces are situated on a connection side of the component and one side of the component that is not the connection side is covered with a reflective surface. The invention also relates to a method for producing a plurality of components of this type.