US 4,048,627 A · Electroluminescent semiconductor device having a restricted current flow

Abstract

A body of semiconductor material has opposed end surfaces, opposed side surfaces extending to the end surfaces and opposed first and second contact surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the end and side surfaces. The body includes a substrate having on a surface thereof a mesa shaped active region which extends to the first contact surface. The active region has side surfaces which are spaced from the side surfaces of the body. Also on the substrate are passive regions which extend from the side surfaces of the active region to the first contact surface and side surfaces of the body. The active region has a P-N junction therein. The passive regions each include a plurality of contiguous passive layers having, P-N junctions therebetween. The P-N junctions of the passive regions extend from the first contact surface to the side surface of the body. Metallic electrodes are on each of the contact surfaces. The passive regions serve to restrict current flow to the active region.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electroluminescent semiconductor device having restricted current flow comprising:

a body of semiconductor material having opposed end surfaces, opposed side surfaces extending to said end surfaces, opposed first and second contact surfaces substantially perpendicular to said end surfaces and said side surfaces;
said body having therein a substrate at said second contact surface having a surface opposite said second contact surface, an active region at least a portion of which is capable of generating electroluminescence, all of said active region being in the form of a mesa, said active region is on a portion of said opposite surface of said substrate and extends to said first contact surface, said active region having side surfaces which are spaced from said side surfaces of said body, and passive regions which extend from the side surfaces of said active region to said side surfaces of said body and said first contact surface, said passive regions having therein a P-N junction extending from said first contact surface to said side surface of said body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electroluminescent semiconductor device having a restricted current flow

Life of this patent

Electroluminescent semiconductor device having a restricted current flow

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11