SHAPED LED FOR ENHANCED LIGHT EXTRACTION EFFICIENCY

摘要

The shape of a light emitting element 400;500) is designed to increase the amount of light that is able to escape from the surfaces of the light emitting element (400;500). The indices of refraction of the light emitting element (400;500) and the surrounding environment define an escape zone through which light may escape through a surface of the light emitting element (400;500). Light traveling outside the escape zone is totally internally reflected (TIR) at the surface. By increasing the number of surfaces on the light emitting element (400;500), the number of escape zones (410a-f,411a-f, 510a-h,511a-h) may be increased, with a corresponding increase in the likelihood of light escaping the surfaces. A light emitting element (400;500) comprising a polygonal surface area with more than four sides (402a-f;502a-h) exhibits a higher light extraction efficiency, and also allows a more uniform current injection, and experiences reduced mechanical stress, compared to one comprising a rectangular surface area.

主权项

1. A light emitting element comprising:
an N-type layer, a P-type layer, an active layer that is situated between the N-type and P-type layers, wherein: the light emitting element includes a cross-section-view profile that includes a polygon with more than four sides, forming a light extraction region that includes a plurality of planar light extraction surfaces, at least one light extraction surface being non-orthogonal to, and non-planar with, an adjacent light extraction surface.