Transparent substrate light emitting diodes with directed light output

A light emitting diode that does not emit coherent radiation, comprising:

• an active region for generating light;
• a substrate transparent to the light generated by the active region, the substrate underlying the active region and having a top and bottom surface and a plurality of exposed side surfaces, light generated by the active region being capable of leaving the light emitting diode through the exposed side surfaces of the substrate;
• a window layer transparent to the light generated by the active region, overlying the active region, the window layer having at least one top exposed surface through which light generated by the active region can pass;
• a first contact and a second contact for applying a voltage across the active region, at least the first and second contacts absorbing light generated by the active region;
• at least a first distributed Bragg reflector, substantially transparent to the light generated by the active region, the distributed Bragg reflector reflecting light striking the distributed Bragg reflector within a predefined range of angles of incidence and transmitting light generated by the active region with minimal absorption when the light strikes the distributed Bragg reflector outside the predefined range of angles of incidence, the distributed Bragg reflector redirecting light generated by the active region away from absorbing regions of the light emitting diode and towards at least one exposed surface.