Surface plasmon enhanced light emitting diode and method of operation for the same

An improved light emitting diode comprising:

• an active light emitting semiconductor layer having a first and second parallel and opposing surface;
• an conductive layer disposed on said first surface of said semiconductor layer;
• and
• an conductive grating disposed on said second surface of said active light emitting semiconductor layer, said conductive layer and conductive grating with said semiconductor layer therebetween defining a cavity, said grating having a pattern which is selected so that surface plasmon waves within said cavity are coupled through said grating.

A method of improving emission from a light emitting diode comprising:

• providing an active light emitting semiconductor layer having a first and second parallel surface;
• providing an optically reflecting layer disposed on said first surface of said semiconductor layer;
• providing an optically reflecting grating with a selected pattern defined therein, said grating being disposed on said second surface of said active light emitting semiconductor layer;
• and
• coupling surface plasmon waves through said optically reflecting grating, said selected pattern characterized by said surface plasmon waves being coupled therethrough.