Semiconductor Dispersion Layer for LED Current Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) face inefficiencies due to limited current dispersion, leading to trapped light and increased manufacturing costs from complex blocking systems or reduced conductivity from transparent electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor structure with a dispersion layer that distributes carriers homogeneously across the junction plane, reducing resistance and enhancing light emission without significant additional manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a carrier blocking system is incorporated to deflect carriers toward peripheral junction areas, then light emission efficiency increases, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent electrode as an intermediary element between the first electrical contact and the first semiconductor zone. This transparent electrode serves dual functions: it deflects carriers toward the peripheral junction areas to improve light emission efficiency, and it maintains electrical connectivity without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity. The transparent electrode mediates between the conflicting requirements of carrier deflection and manufacturing simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If a transparent electrode is inserted to distribute current uniformly, then light emission area increases, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the transparent electrode, specifically its thickness and material composition, to balance its dual functions. By controlling the thickness to be between 50-200 nm and selecting appropriate transparent conductive oxide materials, the electrode achieves sufficient electrical conductivity while maintaining adequate transparency and carrier deflection capability. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between increasing light emission area and maintaining electrical conductivity.
3Loss of energy
If the first zone thickness is increased to improve current dispersion, then manufacturing cost increases, but light emission efficiency improves
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent electrode acts as an intermediary that enables improved current dispersion without increasing the thickness of the first semiconductor zone. By placing the transparent electrode above the first zone, carrier deflection is achieved through the electrode's presence and electrical properties rather than through increased zone thickness, thus avoiding additional semiconductor material consumption while maintaining light emission efficiency.
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 dispersion layer ensures efficient light emission across the junction, minimizing light trapping and maintaining low resistance, thus improving energy efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion layer (13) in said first zone (10), said dispersion layer (13) exhibiting a higher resistivity than said first part (11) of said first zone (10)
Implementation Method 2
the first and second zones (10, 20) connected to each other by a third zone (30) to form a semiconductor junction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a semiconductor structure (1) suitable for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The structure (1) comprises a first and a second area (10, 20) respectively having a first and a second mutually opposite type of conductivity, said first and second areas (10, 20) being connected to one another such as to form a semiconductor junction. The first area (10) comprises at least a first and a second portion (11, 12), the first and the second portion (11, 12) being separated from one another by an intermediate layer (13), referred to as a dispersion layer, and extending substantially parallel to the junction plane along a major portion of the junction. The dispersion layer (13) is suitable for causing a dispersion of the carriers along the plane of the dispersion layer (13).