JP2011086917A - Light emitting diode, light emitting diode lamp, and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emitting diode that has red light and infrared emission wavelengths, improved monochromatic properties, a high output and efficiency, and an improved moisture resistance. <P>SOLUTION: The light emitting diode is equipped with: an active layer for emitting infrared light while having layered structure of a well layer comprising a composition formula of (Al<SB>X1</SB>Ga<SB>1-X1</SB>)As (0≤X1≤1), and a barrier layer comprising a composition formula of (Al<SB>X2</SB>Ga<SB>1-X2</SB>)As (0<X2≤1); an emission section having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer; a current diffusion layer formed on the emission section; and a functional substrate joined to the current diffusion layer. The first and second cladding layers comprise a composition formula of (Al<SB>X3</SB>Ga<SB>1-X3</SB>)<SB>Y1</SB>In<SB>1-Y1</SB>P (0≤X3≤1, 0<Y1≤1). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting diode, a light emitting diode lamp, and an illumination device, and more particularly, to a high-power red and infrared light emitting diode and a light emitting diode lamp and an illumination device using the same.

Red and infrared light emitting diodes (English abbreviation: LED) are widely used for communication, various sensor light sources, night illumination, and the like.
For example, light with a peak wavelength of 660 to 720 nm is a red light source that can be recognized by humans, an outdoor display, a safety-related sensor that preferably recognizes the presence of the sensor visually because it has a high output wavelength band, It is used in a wide range of applications such as light sources for barcode readers and medical oximeters.
In addition, since light having a peak wavelength of 760 to 850 nm is a wavelength band in which light emission output is high, it is an optimum wavelength band for infrared illumination such as light sources of various sensors, monitoring cameras, and video cameras. In particular, the AlGaAs active layer in this wavelength band is suitable for optical communications and high-speed photocouplers because it can respond at high speed. On the other hand, it has begun to be used for light sources such as vein authentication systems and medical fields by utilizing the characteristics of emission wavelength.
In recent years, plant growth using an artificial light source has been studied. In particular, a cultivation method using illumination with a light emitting diode, which is excellent in monochromaticity, can save energy, has a long life, and can be miniaturized, has attracted attention. It is known that light having a wavelength of about 660 to 670 nm is a desirable light source with high reaction efficiency for promoting photosynthesis. However, from recent research results, it is known that the light emission wavelength is suitable for shape control of plant growth. In addition, the effect of infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm has been confirmed.

In the above applications, high output of LEDs is desired to improve the performance of each device.
For example, in a conventional infrared light emitting diode, an LED made of a multilayer film of AlGaAs using a liquid phase epitaxial method on a GaAs substrate has been put into practical use, and various high output studies have been made. For example, a structure (so-called transparent substrate type) in which an AlGaAs epitaxial layer transparent to the emission wavelength is thickly grown by a liquid phase method and an opaque GaAs substrate used as a substrate is removed (so-called transparent substrate type) has the highest output and high efficiency at present. It is an infrared light emitting diode (Patent Documents 1 to 5).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-30150 JP 2001-274454 A JP-A-6-268250 JP-A-6-13650 JP-A-8-293622

  Development of LED with high luminous efficiency is desired from the viewpoint of further performance improvement, energy saving, and cost as a light source for infrared illumination. Furthermore, not only indoors but also outdoor and semi-outdoor environments have been expanded, and moisture resistance is one of the important reliability items. For practical application of LED lighting for plant cultivation that has attracted attention in recent years, reduction of power consumption, improvement of moisture resistance, and higher output are strongly desired. In the case of plant growth, moisture resistance is one of the particularly important characteristics because it is used in a high humidity environment such as watering and hydroponics.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide red and infrared light emitting diodes having high output, high efficiency, and excellent moisture resistance.

As a result of intensive research in order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has conventionally pasted a compound semiconductor layer including an active layer on a transparent substrate in an infrared light-emitting diode using an AlGaAs-based active layer ( Although there was no type to be joined, it was found that the AlGaAs-based multi-quantum well structure was affixed (joined) to a transparent substrate to provide higher output than conventional infrared light emitting diodes. Furthermore, the present inventor, in the red and infrared light emitting diodes used in the AlGaAs multi-quantum well structure, a quaternary AlGaInP system having a large band gap and good crystallinity is applied to the cladding layer sandwiching the multi-quantum well structure. As a result, it was found that the use of the AlGaAs-based cladding layer resulted in higher output. In addition, the Al concentration can be reduced, corrosion is less likely to occur, and moisture resistance is improved.
As a result of further research on this knowledge, the present inventor has completed the present invention shown in the following configuration.

The present invention provides the following means.
(1) a well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), and a barrier layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 ≦ 1) An active layer having a quantum well structure in which the active layers are alternately stacked, a light emitting part having a first clad layer and a second clad layer sandwiching the active layer, a current diffusion layer formed on the light emitting part, And a functional substrate bonded to a current spreading layer, wherein the first and second cladding layers have a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1). <1) The light emitting diode characterized by the above-mentioned.
(2) A well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ 1, An active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers made of 0 <Y2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, a light emitting unit having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer, and the light emitting unit A current diffusion layer formed thereon and a functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer, wherein the first and second cladding layers have a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _{1 -X2} ) _Y1 In _{1 -Y1} A light emitting diode comprising P (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1).
(3) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) and (2), wherein the functional substrate is transparent with respect to an emission wavelength.
(4) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the functional substrate is made of GaP, sapphire, or SiC.
(5) a well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), and a barrier layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) An active layer having a quantum well structure in which the active layers are alternately stacked, a light emitting part having a first clad layer and a second clad layer sandwiching the active layer, a current diffusion layer formed on the light emitting part, A reflective substrate disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to an emission wavelength, and a functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer, the first and second claddings A light emitting diode characterized in that the layer is composed of a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1).
(6) A well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ 1, An active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers made of 0 <Y2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, a light emitting unit having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer, and the light emitting unit A functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer, including a current diffusion layer formed thereon and a reflective layer disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to an emission wavelength; And the first and second cladding layers have the composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1) diode.
(7) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (5) and (6), wherein the functional substrate includes a layer made of silicon or germanium.
(8) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (5) and (6), wherein the functional substrate includes a metal substrate.
(9) The light-emitting diode according to (8), wherein the metal substrate includes a plurality of metal layers.
(10) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the current diffusion layer is made of GaP.
(11) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the current diffusion layer has a thickness in a range of 0.5 to 20 μm.
(12) The side surface of the functional substrate has a vertical surface that is substantially perpendicular to the main light extraction surface on the side close to the light emitting unit, and the main light extraction surface on the side far from the light emitting unit. The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the light-emitting diode has an inclined surface inclined inward.
(13) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the inclined surface includes a rough surface.
(14) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are provided on the main light extraction surface side of the light-emitting diode. .
(15) The light-emitting diode according to (14), wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are ohmic electrodes.
(16) The light-emitting diode according to any one of (14) and (15) above, further comprising a third electrode on a surface opposite to the main light extraction surface side of the functional substrate. .
(17) A light-emitting diode lamp comprising the light-emitting diode according to any one of (1) to (16).
(18) A light-emitting diode lamp comprising the light-emitting diode according to (16), wherein the first electrode or the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to substantially the same potential. .
(19) A lighting device including a plurality of light emitting diodes according to any one of (1) to (16).

  In the present invention, the term “functional substrate” means that after growing a compound semiconductor layer on a growth substrate, the growth substrate is removed and bonded to the compound semiconductor layer via a current diffusion layer to support the compound semiconductor layer. When a predetermined layer is formed on the current diffusion layer and then a predetermined substrate is bonded onto the predetermined layer, the substrate including the predetermined layer is referred to as a “functional substrate”.

The light-emitting diode according to the present invention includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 ≦ 1). An active layer active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers are alternately stacked, a light emitting part having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer, and current diffusion formed on the light emitting part And a functional substrate bonded to the current spreading layer, and the first and second cladding layers have a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} ( _0≤X3≤1,0 ) By adopting a configuration consisting of <Y1 ≦ 1), the output is higher than that of a conventional infrared light emitting diode. In particular, the configuration in which the functional substrate is transparent with respect to the emission wavelength exhibits high output and high efficiency without absorbing light emitted from the light emitting portion. Moreover, the well layer active layer is made of composition formula _{(Al X1 Ga 1-X1)} As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), the barrier having a composition formula _{(Al X2 Ga 1-X2)} As (0 <X2 ≦ 1) Since it has a multi-well structure in which layers are alternately stacked, it has excellent monochromaticity. In addition, the cladding layer has a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1), and does not include As which tends to make defects. High crystallinity contributes to high output. Further, since the clad layer has a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1), a conventional infrared light emitting diode having a ternary system is used. Compared to the above, the Al concentration is low and the moisture resistance is improved. In addition, since the active layer has a stacked structure of a well layer and a barrier layer having the composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), it is suitable for mass production using the MOCVD method. ing.

The light-emitting diode of the present invention includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ A light emitting section having an active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers made of 1,0 <Y2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer, and a light emitting section And a functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer. The first and second cladding layers are composed of a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P ( In addition to the above effects, the barrier layer has a composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2 P (0 ≦ _X ) by adopting a structure composed of 0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1). X4 ≦ 1, 0 <Y2 ≦ 1), making it easy to create defects Since As is not included, the crystallinity is high and contributes to high output.

Since the light-emitting diode of the present invention is made of a material that is not easily corroded when the functional substrate is made of GaP, sapphire, SiC, silicon, germanium, or the like, moisture resistance is improved.
In the light emitting diode of the present invention, the functional substrate and the current diffusion layer are both made of GaP, so that the bonding becomes easy and the bonding strength is increased.

  The light-emitting diode lamp of the present invention can have emission wavelengths of red light and infrared light, and has the above-described light-emitting diode that has excellent monochromaticity, high output, high efficiency, and excellent moisture resistance. For example, when a light emission wavelength of 730 nm is employed, the light source is suitable for plant growth.

It is a top view of the light emitting diode lamp using the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram along the A-A 'line | wire shown in FIG. 1 of the light emitting diode lamp using the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram along the B-B 'line | wire shown in FIG. 3 of the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light emitting layer which comprises the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the epiwafer used for the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bonded wafer used for the light emitting diode which is one Embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a top view of the light emitting diode which is other embodiment of this invention, (b) It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram along the C-C 'line | wire shown in (a). It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the light emitting diode which is other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a light-emitting diode according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with a light-emitting diode lamp using the light-emitting diode. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easy to understand, there are cases where the portions that become the features are enlarged for the sake of convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components are not always the same as the actual ones. Absent.

<Light emitting diode lamp>
1 and 2 are views for explaining a light-emitting diode lamp using a light-emitting diode according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along the A 'line.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the light-emitting diode lamp 41 using the light-emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment, one or more light-emitting diodes 1 are mounted on the surface of a mount substrate 42. More specifically, an n electrode terminal 43 and a p electrode terminal 44 are provided on the surface of the mount substrate 42. In addition, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 that is the first electrode of the light-emitting diode 1 and the n-electrode terminal 43 of the mount substrate 42 are connected using a gold wire 45 (wire bonding). On the other hand, the p-type ohmic electrode 5, which is the second electrode of the light emitting diode 1, and the p-electrode terminal 44 of the mount substrate 42 are connected using a gold wire 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a third electrode 6 is provided on the surface of the light emitting diode 1 opposite to the surface on which the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes 4 and 5 are provided. The light emitting diode 1 is connected to the n electrode terminal 43 by the electrode 6 and fixed to the mount substrate 42. Here, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 and the third electrode 6 are electrically connected by the n-pole electrode terminal 43 so as to be equipotential or substantially equipotential. The third electrode prevents an overcurrent from flowing in the active layer against an excessive reverse voltage, and a current flows between the third electrode and the p-type electrode, thereby preventing the active layer from being damaged. A reflection structure can be added to the third electrode and the substrate interface side to achieve high output. Further, by adding eutectic metal, solder or the like to the surface side of the third electrode, a simpler assembly technique such as eutectic die bonding can be used. The surface of the mount substrate 42 on which the light emitting diode 1 is mounted is sealed with a general sealing resin 47 such as silicon resin or epoxy resin.

<Light Emitting Diode (First Embodiment)>
3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the light emitting diode according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. 4 is taken along the line BB ′ shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a laminated structure.
The light emitting diode according to the first embodiment includes a well layer 17 having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 < A light emitting unit 7 having an active layer 11 having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers 18 made of X2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, and a first cladding layer 9 and a second cladding layer 13 sandwiching the active layer 11; A current diffusion layer 8 formed on the light emitting portion 7 and a functional substrate 3 bonded to the current diffusion layer 8 are provided, and the first and second cladding layers are represented by a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _{1 -X3} ) _Y1. In _1-Y1 P; 0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1).
In addition, the main light extraction surface in this embodiment is a surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 opposite to the surface to which the functional substrate 3 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the compound semiconductor layer (also referred to as an epitaxial growth layer) 2 has a structure in which a pn junction type light emitting portion 7 and a current diffusion layer 8 are sequentially stacked. A known functional layer can be added to the structure of the compound semiconductor layer 2 as appropriate. For example, a contact layer for reducing the contact resistance of an ohmic electrode, a current diffusion layer for planarly diffusing the element driving current over the entire light emitting portion, and conversely, limiting a region through which the element driving current flows. Therefore, a known layer structure such as a current blocking layer or a current confinement layer can be provided. The compound semiconductor layer 2 is preferably formed by epitaxial growth on a GaAs substrate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting unit 7 includes at least a p-type lower cladding layer (first cladding layer) 9, a lower guide layer 10, a light emitting layer (active layer) 11, and an upper guide on the current diffusion layer 8. A layer 12 and an n-type upper clad layer (second clad layer) 13 are sequentially laminated. That is, the light emitting unit 7 includes a lower clad layer 9 disposed to face the lower side and the upper side of the light emitting layer 11 in order to “confine” the light emitting layer 11 with carriers (carriers) that cause radiative recombination. A so-called double hetero (English abbreviation: DH) structure including the lower guide layer 10, the upper guide layer 12, and the upper cladding layer 13 is preferable in order to obtain high-intensity light emission.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the active layer 11 forms a quantum well structure in order to control the emission wavelength of the light emitting diode (LED). That is, the active layer 11 has a multilayer structure (laminated structure) of a well layer 17 and a barrier layer 18 having a barrier layer (also referred to as a barrier layer) 18 at both ends.

The layer thickness of the active layer 11 is preferably in the range of 0.02 to 2 μm. Further, the conductivity type of the active layer 11 is not particularly limited, and any of undoped, p-type, and n-type can be selected. In order to increase the luminous efficiency, it is desirable that the crystallinity is undoped or the carrier concentration is less than 3 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ .

The well layer 17 preferably has a composition of (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 0.36). X1 can be adjusted so as to obtain an optimum emission wavelength.
Table 1 shows the relationship between the Al composition X1 and the emission peak wavelength when the thickness of the well layer 17 is 17 nm. It can be seen that the lower the Al composition X1, the longer the emission peak wavelength. Moreover, from the tendency of the change, the Al composition corresponding to the emission peak wavelength not listed in the table can be estimated.

以上の発光ピーク波長と、井戸層１７のＡｌ組成Ｘ１及び層厚との関係に基づいて、例えば、７２０ｎｍ〜７６０ｎｍの範囲内の所望の発光ピーク波長が得られるように、井戸層１７のＡｌ組成Ｘ１と層厚を決めることができる。 The thickness of the well layer 17 is preferably in the range of 3 to 30 nm. More preferably, it is the range of 5-20 nm.
Table 2 shows the relationship between the layer thickness of the well layer 17 and the emission peak wavelength of, for example, 720 nm to 760 nm when the Al composition X1 of the well layer 17 is 0.18. As the layer thickness decreases, the wavelength decreases due to the quantum effect. When it is thick, the emission peak wavelength is constant depending on the composition. Further, from the tendency of the change, the layer thickness corresponding to the emission peak wavelength not listed in the table can be estimated.

Based on the relationship between the above emission peak wavelength, the Al composition X1 of the well layer 17 and the layer thickness, for example, the Al composition of the well layer 17 is obtained so that a desired emission peak wavelength within a range of 720 nm to 760 nm is obtained. X1 and the layer thickness can be determined.

The barrier layer 18 has a composition of (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 ≦ 1). X2 is preferably a composition having a band gap larger than that of the well layer 17 in order to increase luminous efficiency. Since the Al concentration is preferably lower from the viewpoint of crystallinity, the X2 is 0.1 to 0.3. A range is more preferred. The optimum X2 composition is determined by the relationship with the composition of the well layer.

  The layer thickness of the barrier layer 18 is preferably equal to or thicker than the layer thickness of the well layer 17. Thereby, the luminous efficiency of the well layer 17 can be increased.

  In the multilayer structure of the well layer 17 and the barrier layer 18, the number of pairs in which the well layers 17 and the barrier layers 18 are alternately stacked is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 or more and 40 or less. . That is, the light emitting layer 11 preferably includes 2 to 40 well layers 17. Here, as a suitable range of the luminous efficiency of the light emitting layer 11, it is preferable that the well layer 17 is five or more layers. On the other hand, since the well layer 17 and the barrier layer 18 have a low carrier concentration, the forward voltage (VF) increases when the number of pairs is increased. For this reason, it is preferable that it is 40 pairs or less, and it is more preferable that it is 20 pairs or less.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 are provided on the lower surface and the upper surface of the light emitting layer 11, respectively. Specifically, the lower guide layer 10 is provided on the lower surface of the light emitting layer 11, and the upper guide layer 12 is provided on the upper surface of the light emitting layer 11.

The lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 have a composition of (Al _X Ga _1-X ) As (0 ≦ X ≦ 1). The X is preferably a composition having a band gap equal to or larger than that of the barrier layer 15, and more preferably in the range of 0.2 to 0.4. The optimum X composition from the viewpoint of crystallinity is determined by the relationship with the composition of the well layer.

Table 3 shows the Al composition X1 of the barrier layer 18 and the guide layer that maximize the light emission output at the light emission peak wavelength when the thickness of the well layer 17 is 17 nm. The barrier layer and the guide layer preferably have a composition having a larger band gap than that of the well layer. However, the optimum composition is determined in relation to the composition of the well layer in order to improve crystallinity and improve the light emission output.

  The lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 are provided in order to reduce the propagation of defects in the lower cladding layer 9, the upper cladding layer 13, and the light emitting layer 11, respectively. That is, the V group constituent element of the lower guide layer 10, the upper guide layer 12, and the light emitting layer 11 is arsenic (As), whereas in the present invention, the V group constituent element of the lower cladding layer 9 and the upper cladding layer 13 is phosphorus ( Therefore, defects are likely to occur at the interface. Propagation of defects to the light emitting layer 11 causes a reduction in the performance of the light emitting diode. For this reason, the thickness of the lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 is preferably 10 nm or more, and more preferably 20 nm to 100 nm.

The conductivity type of the lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 is not particularly limited, and any of undoped, p-type, and n-type can be selected. In order to increase the luminous efficiency, it is desirable that the crystallinity is undoped or the carrier concentration is less than 3 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ .

  The lower cladding layer 9 and the upper cladding layer 13 are provided on the lower surface of the lower guide layer 10 and the upper surface of the upper guide layer 12, respectively, as shown in FIG.

As the material of the lower cladding layer 9 and the upper clad layer _13, a semiconductor material _{(Al X3 Ga 1-X3)} Y1 In 1-Y1 P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1,0 <Y1 ≦ 1), a barrier layer 15 A material having a larger band gap is preferable, and a material having a larger band gap than the lower guide layer 10 and the upper guide layer 12 is more preferable. As the _{material, (Al X3 Ga 1-X3} ) Y1 In 1-Y1 P; have a composition X3 is 0.3 to 0.7 of 0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1,0 <Y1 ≦ 1) preferable. Y1 is preferably 0.4 to 0.6.

  The lower clad layer 9 and the upper clad layer 13 are configured to have different polarities. The carrier concentration and thickness of the lower clad layer 9 and the upper clad layer 13 can be in a known suitable range, and the conditions are preferably optimized so that the light emission efficiency of the light emitting layer 11 is increased. Further, the warpage of the compound semiconductor layer 2 can be reduced by controlling the composition of the lower cladding layer 9 and the upper cladding layer 13.

Specifically, as the lower clad layer 9, for example, p-type (Al _X3 Ga _{1 -X 3} ) _{Y 1} In ₁ -Y ₁ P (0.3 ≦ X 3 ≦ 0.7, 0.4 ≦ Y ₁ ) doped with Mg It is desirable to use a semiconductor material composed of ≦ 0.6). The carrier concentration is preferably in the range of 2 × 10 ¹⁷ to 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ , and the layer thickness is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 μm.

On the other hand, the upper clad layer 13, for example, Si-doped n-type _{(Al X3 Ga 1-X3)} Y1 In 1-Y1 P (0.3 ≦ X3 ≦ 0.7,0.4 ≦ Y1 ≦ 0 .6) is preferably used. The carrier concentration is preferably in the range of 1 × 10 ¹⁷ to 1 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ , and the layer thickness is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 μm. The polarities of the lower cladding layer 9 and the upper cladding layer 13 can be selected in consideration of the element structure of the compound semiconductor layer 2.

  Further, above the constituent layers of the light emitting unit 7, a contact layer for lowering the contact resistance of the ohmic electrode, a current diffusion layer for planarly diffusing the element driving current throughout the light emitting unit, and conversely A known layer structure such as a current blocking layer or a current confinement layer for limiting the region through which the element driving current flows can be provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the current spreading layer 8 is provided below the light emitting unit 7. The current diffusion layer 8 is provided to relieve strain generated by the active layer 11 when the compound semiconductor layer 2 is epitaxially grown on the GaAs substrate.
The current spreading layer 8 can be made of a material that is transparent to the emission wavelength from the light emitting portion 7 (active layer 11), that is, GaP. When GaP is applied to the current diffusion layer 8, bonding can be facilitated and high bonding strength can be obtained by using the functional substrate 3 as a GaP substrate.
The thickness of the current spreading layer 8 is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 20 μm. This is because the current diffusion is insufficient when the thickness is 0.5 μm or less, and the cost for crystal growth to the thickness increases when the thickness is 20 μm or more.

The functional substrate 3 is bonded to the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 opposite to the main light extraction surface. That is, the functional substrate 3 is bonded to the current diffusion layer 8 side constituting the compound semiconductor layer 2 as shown in FIG. The functional substrate 3 has sufficient strength to mechanically support the light emitting unit 7, and can transmit light emitted from the light emitting unit 7, and is optical with respect to the emission wavelength from the active layer 11. Made of transparent material. A chemically stable material having excellent moisture resistance is desirable. For example, it is a material that does not contain Al or the like that easily corrodes.
The functional substrate 3 is a substrate excellent in moisture resistance, and is preferably made of GaP or SiC having good thermal conductivity and sapphire having high mechanical strength.
The functional substrate 3 preferably has a thickness of, for example, about 50 μm or more in order to support the light emitting unit 7 with sufficient mechanical strength. In order to facilitate the mechanical processing of the functional substrate 3 after bonding to the compound semiconductor layer 2, it is preferable that the thickness does not exceed about 300 μm. That is, the functional substrate 3 is optimally composed of an n-type GaP substrate in terms of transparency and cost having a thickness of about 50 μm or more and about 300 μm or less.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the side surface of the functional substrate 3 is a vertical surface 3 a that is substantially perpendicular to the main light extraction surface on the side close to the compound semiconductor layer 2, and is far from the compound semiconductor layer 2. On the side, the inclined surface 3b is inclined inward with respect to the main light extraction surface. Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting layer 10 to the functional substrate 3 side can be efficiently extracted to the outside. Further, part of the light emitted from the light emitting layer 10 to the functional substrate 3 side is reflected by the vertical surface 3a and can be extracted by the inclined surface 3b. On the other hand, the light reflected by the inclined surface 3b can be extracted by the vertical surface 3a. Thus, the light extraction efficiency can be increased by the synergistic effect of the vertical surface 3a and the inclined surface 3b.

Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable to make angle (alpha) which the inclined surface 3b and the surface parallel to a light emission surface make into the range of 55 degree | times-80 degree | times. By setting it as such a range, the light reflected by the bottom part of the functional board | substrate 3 can be efficiently taken out outside.
Moreover, it is preferable to make the width | variety (thickness direction) of the vertical surface 3a into the range of 30 micrometers-100 micrometers. By setting the width of the vertical surface 3a within the above range, the light reflected at the bottom of the functional substrate 3 can be efficiently returned to the light emitting surface at the vertical surface 3a, and further emitted from the main light extraction surface. It becomes possible. For this reason, the light emission efficiency of the light emitting diode 1 can be improved.

  The inclined surface 3b of the functional substrate 3 is preferably roughened. By roughening the inclined surface 3b, an effect of increasing the light extraction efficiency at the inclined surface 3b can be obtained. That is, by roughening the inclined surface 3b, total reflection on the inclined surface 3b can be suppressed and light extraction efficiency can be increased.

  The bonding interface between the compound semiconductor layer 2 and the functional substrate 3 may be a high resistance layer. That is, a high resistance layer (not shown) may be provided between the compound semiconductor layer 2 and the functional substrate 3. This high resistance layer exhibits a higher resistance value than that of the functional substrate 3, and when the high resistance layer is provided, the compound semiconductor layer 2 has a reverse direction from the current diffusion layer 8 side to the functional substrate 3 side. It has a function of reducing current. Moreover, although the junction structure which exhibits a withstand voltage with respect to the voltage of the reverse direction applied carelessly from the functional board | substrate 3 side is comprised, the breakdown voltage is a pn junction. It is preferable that the voltage is lower than the reverse voltage of the light emitting unit 7 of the mold.

  The n-type ohmic electrode 4 and the p-type ohmic electrode 5 are low-resistance ohmic contact electrodes provided on the main light extraction surface of the light-emitting diode 1. Here, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 is provided above the upper cladding layer 11, and for example, an alloy made of AuGe, Ni alloy / Au can be used. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the p-type ohmic electrode 5 can use AuBe / Au or an alloy made of AuZn / Au on the exposed surface of the current diffusion layer 8.

  Here, in the light emitting diode 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable to form the p-type ohmic electrode 5 on the current diffusion layer 8 as the second electrode. By setting it as such a structure, the effect of reducing an operating voltage is acquired. Further, by forming the p-type ohmic electrode 5 on the current diffusion layer 8 made of p-type GaP, a good ohmic contact can be obtained, so that the operating voltage can be lowered.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the polarity of the first electrode is n-type and the polarity of the second electrode is p-type. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to achieve high brightness of the light emitting diode 1. On the other hand, if the first electrode is p-type, current diffusion is deteriorated, resulting in a decrease in luminance. On the other hand, by making the first electrode n-type, current diffusion is improved, and high luminance of the light emitting diode 1 can be achieved.

  In the light emitting diode 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to arrange so that the n-type ohmic electrode 4 and the p-type ohmic electrode 5 are diagonally positioned. The p-type ohmic electrode 5 is most preferably surrounded by the compound semiconductor layer 2. By setting it as such a structure, the effect of reducing an operating voltage is acquired. Further, by enclosing the four sides of the p-type ohmic electrode 5 with the n-type ohmic electrode 4, the current easily flows in the four directions, and as a result, the operating voltage decreases.

  Moreover, in the light emitting diode 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the n-type ohmic electrode 4 has a mesh such as a honeycomb or a lattice shape. With such a configuration, an effect of improving reliability can be obtained. Further, by using the lattice shape, a current can be uniformly injected into the light emitting layer 10, and as a result, an effect of improving reliability can be obtained. In the light emitting diode 1 of this embodiment, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 is preferably composed of a pad-shaped electrode (pad electrode) and a linear electrode (linear electrode) having a width of 10 μm or less. With such a configuration, high luminance can be achieved. Furthermore, by reducing the width of the linear electrode, the opening area of the light extraction surface can be increased, and high luminance can be achieved.

<Method for manufacturing light-emitting diode>
Next, the manufacturing method of the light emitting diode 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an epiwafer used for the light emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a bonded wafer used for the light emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment.

(Formation process of compound semiconductor layer)
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the compound semiconductor layer 2 is produced. The compound semiconductor layer 2 includes a buffer layer 15 made of GaAs on a GaAs substrate 14, an etching stop layer (not shown) provided for selective etching, and a contact layer 16 made of n-type AlGaAs doped with Si. The n-type upper clad layer 13, the upper guide layer 12, the light emitting layer 11, the lower guide layer 10, the p-type lower clad layer 9, and the current diffusion layer 8 made of Mg-doped p-type GaP are sequentially laminated. .

  As the GaAs substrate 14, a commercially available single crystal substrate manufactured by a known manufacturing method can be used. The surface of the GaAs substrate 14 on which the epitaxial growth is performed is desirably smooth. The surface orientation of the surface of the GaAs substrate 14 is easy to epi-grow, and from the (100) plane and (100) that are mass-produced, a substrate that is turned off within ± 20 ° is preferred from the standpoint of quality stability. Furthermore, the range of the plane orientation of the GaAs substrate 14 is more preferably 15 ° off ± 5 ° from the (100) direction to the (0-1-1) direction.

The dislocation density of the GaAs substrate 14 is desirably low in order to improve the crystallinity of the compound semiconductor layer 2. Specifically, for example, 10,000 pieces cm ⁻² or less, preferably 1,000 pieces cm ⁻² or less are suitable.

The GaAs substrate 14 may be n-type or p-type. The carrier concentration of the GaAs substrate 14 can be appropriately selected from desired electrical conductivity and element structure. For example, when the GaAs substrate 14 is a silicon-doped n-type, the carrier concentration is preferably in the range of 1 × 10 ^{17 to} 5 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ . On the other hand, when the GaAs substrate 14 is a p-type doped with zinc, the carrier concentration is preferably in the range of 2 × 10 ^{18 to} 5 × 10 ¹⁹ cm ⁻³ .

  The thickness of the GaAs substrate 14 has an appropriate range depending on the size of the substrate. If the thickness of the GaAs substrate 14 is thinner than an appropriate range, the compound semiconductor layer 2 may be broken during the manufacturing process. On the other hand, when the thickness of the GaAs substrate 14 is thicker than an appropriate range, the material cost increases. For this reason, when the substrate size of the GaAs substrate 14 is large, for example, when the diameter is 75 mm, a thickness of 250 to 500 μm is desirable to prevent cracking during handling. Similarly, when the diameter is 50 mm, a thickness of 200 to 400 μm is desirable, and when the diameter is 100 mm, a thickness of 350 to 600 μm is desirable.

  Thus, by increasing the thickness of the substrate according to the substrate size of the GaAs substrate 14, it is possible to reduce the warpage of the compound semiconductor layer 2 caused by the light emitting layer 7. Thereby, since the temperature distribution during epitaxial growth becomes uniform, the in-plane wavelength distribution of the light emitting layer 10 can be reduced. The shape of the GaAs substrate 14 is not particularly limited to a circle, and there is no problem even if it is a rectangle or the like.

  The buffer layer 15 is provided to reduce the propagation of defects between the GaAs substrate 14 and the constituent layers of the light emitting unit 7. For this reason, the buffer layer 15 is not necessarily required if the quality of the substrate and the epitaxial growth conditions are selected. The buffer layer 15 is preferably made of the same material as that of the substrate to be epitaxially grown. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to use GaAs for the buffer layer 15 as with the GaAs substrate 14. The buffer layer 15 can also be a multilayer film made of a material different from that of the GaAs substrate 14 in order to reduce the propagation of defects. The thickness of the buffer layer 15 is preferably 0.1 μm or more, and more preferably 0.2 μm or more.

The contact layer 16 is provided to reduce the contact resistance with the electrode. The material of the contact layer 16 is preferably a material having a band gap larger than that of the light emitting layer 12, and Al _X Ga _1-X As, (Al _X Ga _1-X ) _Y In _1-YP (0 ≦ X ≦ 1) , 0 <Y ≦ 1) is preferred. The lower limit value of the carrier concentration of the contact layer 16 is preferably 5 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ or more, and more preferably 1 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ or more in order to reduce the contact resistance with the electrode. The upper limit value of the carrier concentration is desirably 2 × 10 ¹⁹ cm ⁻³ or less at which the crystallinity is likely to decrease. The thickness of the contact layer 16 is preferably 0.5 μm or more, and optimally 1 μm or more. The upper limit value of the thickness of the contact layer 16 is not particularly limited, but is desirably 5 μm or less in order to bring the cost for epitaxial growth to an appropriate range.

  In the present embodiment, a known growth method such as a molecular beam epitaxial method (MBE) or a low pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition method (MOCVD method) can be applied. Among these, it is most desirable to apply the MOCVD method which is excellent in mass productivity. Specifically, the GaAs substrate 14 used for the epitaxial growth of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is preferably subjected to a pretreatment such as a cleaning process or a heat treatment before the growth to remove surface contamination or a natural oxide film. Each layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer 2 can be laminated by setting a GaAs substrate 14 having a diameter of 50 to 150 mm in an MOCVD apparatus and simultaneously epitaxially growing the layer. As the MOCVD apparatus, a commercially available large-sized apparatus such as a self-revolving type or a high-speed rotating type can be applied.

When each layer of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is epitaxially grown, examples of the group III constituent material include trimethylaluminum ((CH ₃ ) ₃ Al), trimethylgallium ((CH ₃ ) ₃ Ga), and trimethylindium ((CH ₃ ) ₃ In) can be used. Further, as a Mg doping raw material, for example, biscyclopentadienyl magnesium (bis- (C ₅ H ₅ ) ₂ Mg) or the like can be used. Further, as a Si doping material, for example, disilane (Si ₂ H ₆ ) or the like can be used. In addition, phosphine (PH ₃ ), arsine (AsH ₃ ), or the like can be used as a raw material for the group V constituent element. As the growth temperature of each layer, 720 to 770 ° C. can be applied when p-type GaP is used as the current diffusion layer 8, and 600 to 700 ° C. can be applied to the other layers. Furthermore, the carrier concentration, layer thickness, and temperature conditions of each layer can be selected as appropriate.

  The compound semiconductor layer 2 manufactured as described above can obtain a good surface state with few crystal defects despite having the light emitting layer 7. The compound semiconductor layer 2 may be subjected to surface processing such as polishing corresponding to the element structure.

(Functional substrate bonding process)
Next, the compound semiconductor layer 2 and the functional substrate 3 are bonded. In joining the compound semiconductor layer 2 and the functional substrate 3, first, the surface of the current diffusion layer 8 constituting the compound semiconductor layer 2 is polished and mirror-finished. Next, the functional substrate 3 to be attached to the mirror-polished surface of the current spreading layer 8 is prepared. The surface of the functional substrate 3 is polished to a mirror surface before being bonded to the current diffusion layer 8. Next, the compound semiconductor layer 2 and the functional substrate 3 are carried into a general semiconductor material pasting apparatus, and electrons are collided with both surfaces which are mirror-polished in a vacuum to make the neutral (neutral) Ar beam. Irradiate. Then, it can join at room temperature by superimposing both surfaces in the sticking apparatus which maintained the vacuum, and applying a load (refer FIG. 7). With respect to bonding, materials having the same bonding surface are more desirable from the viewpoint of stability of bonding conditions.
Bonding (pasting) is optimally performed at room temperature bonding under such a vacuum, but bonding can also be performed using a eutectic metal or an adhesive.

(First and second electrode forming steps)
Next, an n-type ohmic electrode 4 that is a first electrode and a p-type ohmic electrode 5 that is a second electrode are formed. In the formation of the n-type ohmic electrode 4 and the p-type ohmic electrode 5, first, the GaAs substrate 14 and the buffer layer 15 are selectively removed from the compound semiconductor layer 2 bonded to the functional substrate 3 with an ammonia-based etchant. Next, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 is formed on the exposed surface of the contact layer 16. Specifically, for example, AuGe, Ni alloy / Pt / Au are laminated by a vacuum deposition method so as to have an arbitrary thickness, and then patterned by using a general photolithography means to form the n-type ohmic electrode 4. Form the shape.

  Next, the contact layer 16, the upper cladding layer 13, the upper guide layer 12, the light emitting layer 11, the lower guide layer 10, and the p-type lower cladding layer 9 are selectively removed to expose the current diffusion layer 8, and this exposure A p-type ohmic electrode 5 is formed on the surface of the current diffusion layer 8. Specifically, for example, AuBe / Au is laminated by vacuum deposition so as to have an arbitrary thickness, and then patterned using a general photolithography means to form the shape of the p-type ohmic electrode 5. . Then, the low resistance n-type ohmic electrode 4 and p-type ohmic electrode 5 can be formed, for example by heat-processing on 400-500 degreeC and the conditions for 5 to 20 minutes, and alloying.

(Functional substrate processing process)
Next, the shape of the functional substrate 3 is processed. In processing the functional substrate 3, first, V-shaped grooving is performed on the surface where the third electrode 6 is not formed. At this time, the inner surface of the V-shaped groove on the third electrode 6 side becomes an inclined surface 3b having an angle α formed with a surface parallel to the light emitting surface. Next, dicing is performed from the compound semiconductor layer 2 side at predetermined intervals to form chips. In addition, the vertical surface 3a of the functional substrate 3 is formed by dicing at the time of chip formation.

  The formation method of the inclined surface 3b is not particularly limited, and conventional methods such as wet etching, dry etching, scribing, and laser processing can be used in combination, but the shape controllability and productivity can be improved. Most preferably, a high dicing method is applied. By applying the dicing method, the manufacturing yield can be improved.

  The method for forming the vertical surface 3a is not particularly limited, but it is preferably formed by laser processing, a scribe break method, or a dicing method. By employing the laser processing and the scribe / break method, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. That is, since it is not necessary to provide a margin for chip separation and many light emitting diodes can be manufactured, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. On the other hand, the dicing method is excellent in cutting stability.

  Finally, the crushed layer and dirt are removed by etching with a mixed solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide as necessary. In this way, the light emitting diode 1 is manufactured.

<Method for manufacturing light-emitting diode lamp>
Next, a manufacturing method of the light emitting diode lamp 41 using the light emitting diode 1, that is, a mounting method of the light emitting diode 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a predetermined number of light emitting diodes 1 are mounted on the surface of the mount substrate 42. For mounting the light emitting diode 1, first, the mounting substrate 42 and the light emitting diode 1 are aligned, and the light emitting diode 1 is disposed at a predetermined position on the surface of the mounting substrate 42. Next, die bonding is performed with Ag paste, and the light emitting diode 1 is fixed to the surface of the mount substrate 42. Next, the n-type ohmic electrode 4 of the light-emitting diode 1 and the n-electrode terminal 43 of the mount substrate 42 are connected using a gold wire 45 (wire bonding). Next, the p-type ohmic electrode 5 of the light emitting diode 1 and the p-electrode terminal 44 of the mount substrate 42 are connected using a gold wire 46. Finally, the surface of the mount substrate 42 on which the light emitting diode 1 is mounted is sealed with a general epoxy resin 47. In this way, the light emitting diode lamp 41 using the light emitting diode 1 is manufactured.

  Further, the emission spectrum of the light-emitting diode lamp 41 can be adjusted, for example, to a peak emission wavelength of 720 to 760 nm by adjusting the composition of the active layer 11. Moreover, since the dispersion | distribution in the light emitting layer 11 of the well layer 17 and the barrier layer 18 is suppressed by the current spreading | diffusion layer 8, the half value width of an emission spectrum becomes the range of 10-40 nm.

As described above, according to the light-emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment, the compound including the light-emitting portion 7 having the well layer 17 having the composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _{1 -X1} ) As (0 ≦ X ≦ 0.36). A semiconductor layer 2 is provided.

  In the light emitting diode 1 according to the present embodiment, a current diffusion layer 8 is provided on the light emitting unit 7. Since the current spreading layer 8 is transparent with respect to the emission wavelength, the light-emitting diode 1 having high output and high efficiency can be obtained without absorbing the light emitted from the light emitting unit 7. The functional substrate is stable in material and has excellent moisture resistance without worrying about corrosion.

  Therefore, according to the light emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment, for example, the light emitting diode 1 having a light emission wavelength in the range of 720 nm to 760 nm, excellent monochromaticity, high output, high efficiency, and moisture resistance is provided. be able to. Further, according to the light emitting diode 1 of the present embodiment, a high output light emitting diode having a luminous efficiency of about 1.5 times or more compared with a transparent substrate type AlGaAs light emitting diode manufactured by a conventional liquid phase epitaxial method. 1 can be provided. Also, high temperature and high humidity reliability was improved.

  Further, according to the light emitting diode lamp 41 of the present embodiment, the light emitting diode 1 having an emission wavelength of about 730 nm, excellent monochromaticity, high output, high efficiency, and moisture resistance is provided. For this reason, the light emitting diode lamp 41 suitable for the illumination for plant cultivation can be provided.

<Light Emitting Diode (Second Embodiment)>
The light emitting diode according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _{1 -X1} ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), and a composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _{1 -X4} ). _{Y2 in 1-Y2 P (0} ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 ≦ 1) and the active layer of a quantum well structure formed by alternately laminating a barrier layer composed of a first cladding layer sandwiching the active layer and the second A current diffusion unit including a light emitting part having a cladding layer, a current diffusion layer formed on the light emitting part, and a reflective layer disposed opposite to the light emitting part and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to an emission wavelength. And a functional substrate bonded to the layer, and the first and second cladding layers are composed of a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1) It is characterized by comprising.
The AlGaAs barrier layer 18 in the light emitting diode according to the first embodiment includes a barrier layer having a composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ 1, 0 <Y2 ≦ 1) This is different from the light emitting diode according to the first embodiment.

  X3 preferably has a composition having a band gap larger than that of the well layer 17 in order to increase the light emission efficiency. Since the Al concentration is preferably lower from the viewpoint of crystallinity, X3 is 0.3 to 0.00. 7, Y2 is more preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.6. The optimum composition of X3 and Y2 is determined by the relationship with the composition of the well layer.

<Light Emitting Diode (Third Embodiment)>
8A and 8B are views for explaining a light emitting diode according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a diagram. It is sectional drawing along CC 'line shown in 8 (a).
The light-emitting diode according to the third embodiment includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 An active layer 11 having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers composed of ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, a light emitting unit having a first cladding layer 9 and a second cladding layer 13 sandwiching the active layer, and a light emitting unit on the light emitting unit A functional substrate 31 including the formed current diffusion layer 8 and a reflective layer 23 disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength; And the first and second cladding layers 9 and 13 have the composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1) To do.

The light emitting diode according to the third embodiment has a functional substrate 30 having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength and including the reflective layer 23 disposed to face the light emitting portion. Light can be efficiently extracted from the extraction surface.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the functional substrate 31 includes the second electrode 21 on the lower surface 8 b of the current diffusion layer 8, and the transparent conductive film 22 and the second electrode 8 so as to cover the second electrode 8. A reflective structure in which the reflective layer 23 is laminated, and a layer (substrate) 30 made of silicon or germanium are provided.

  In the light emitting diode according to the third embodiment, the functional substrate 31 preferably includes a layer made of silicon or germanium. This is because the material is not easily corroded, so that the moisture resistance is improved.

The reflective layer 23 is made of, for example, silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), or an alloy thereof. These materials have high light reflectivity, and the light reflectivity from the reflective layer 23 can be 90% or more.
In the functional substrate 31, a combination of eutectic metal such as AuIn, AuGe, AuSn and the like and bonded to an inexpensive substrate (layer) such as silicon or germanium can be used for the functional layer 31. In particular, AuIn has a low bonding temperature and a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the light emitting portion, but is an optimal combination for bonding the cheapest silicon substrate (silicon layer).
The functional substrate 31 is further inserted with a layer made of a refractory metal such as titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), or platinum (Pt) so that the current diffusion layer, the reflective layer metal, and the eutectic metal do not interdiffuse. It is also desirable from the standpoint of quality stability to have a configured configuration.

<Light Emitting Diode (Fourth Embodiment)>
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a light emitting diode according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The light-emitting diode according to the fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _{1 -X1} ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), and a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _{1 -X2} ). A light emitting section having an active layer 11 having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers made of As (0 <X2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, and a first cladding layer 9 and a second cladding layer 13 sandwiching the active layer A current diffusion layer 8 formed on the light emitting portion, a reflective layer 53 disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength, and a metal substrate 50, and current diffusion And a functional substrate 51 bonded to the layer 8, and the first and second cladding layers 9 and 13 are composed of a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _{1 -X 3} ) _{Y 1} In _{1 -Y 1} P (0 ≦ X 3 ≦ 1,0). <Y1 ≦ 1)

In the light emitting diode according to the fourth embodiment, the functional substrate includes a metal substrate, which is a characteristic configuration of the light emitting diode according to the third embodiment.
The metal substrate has high heat dissipation, contributes to light emission of the light emitting diode with high luminance, and can extend the life of the light emitting diode.
From the viewpoint of heat dissipation, the metal substrate is particularly preferably made of a metal having a thermal conductivity of 130 W / m · K or more. Examples of the metal having a thermal conductivity of 130 W / m · K or more include molybdenum (138 W / m · K) and tungsten (174 W / m · K).

As shown in FIG. 9, the compound semiconductor layer 2 includes an active layer 11, a first clad layer (lower clad) 9 and a second clad layer sandwiching the active layer 11 via a guide layer (not shown). (Upper clad) 13, the current diffusion layer 8 below the first clad layer (lower clad) 9, and the first electrode 55 above the second clad layer (upper clad) 13 in plan view. A contact layer 56 having substantially the same size.
The functional substrate 51 includes a second electrode 57 on the lower surface 8 b of the current diffusion layer 8, and a transparent conductive film 52 and a reflective layer 53 are laminated so as to cover the second electrode 57. The joining surface 50a of the metal substrate 50 is joined to the surface 53b on the opposite side of the compound semiconductor layer 2 of the reflecting layer 53 constituting the reflecting structure.

  The reflective layer 53 is made of, for example, a metal such as copper, silver, gold, or aluminum, or an alloy thereof. These materials have high light reflectivity, and the light reflectivity from the reflective structure can be 90% or more. By forming the reflective layer 53, the light from the active layer 11 is reflected by the reflective layer 53 in the front direction f, and the light extraction efficiency in the front direction f can be improved. Thereby, the brightness of the light emitting diode can be further increased.

The reflective layer 53 preferably has a laminated structure made of Ag, a Ni / Ti barrier layer, and an Au-based eutectic metal (connection metal) from the transparent conductive film 52 side.
The connecting metal is a metal that has a low electrical resistance and melts at a low temperature. By using the connecting metal, the metal substrate can be connected without applying thermal stress to the compound semiconductor layer 2.
As the connection metal, an Au-based eutectic metal that is chemically stable and has a low melting point is used. Examples of the Au-based eutectic metal include eutectic compositions of alloys such as AuSn, AuGe, and AuSi (Au-based eutectic metal).
Further, it is preferable to add a metal such as titanium, chromium, or tungsten to the connection metal. Thereby, metals such as titanium, chromium, and tungsten can function as barrier metals, and impurities contained in the metal substrate can be prevented from diffusing and reacting on the reflective layer 53 side.

The transparent conductive film 52 is composed of an ITO film, an IZO film, or the like. Note that the reflective structure may be composed of only the reflective layer 53.
Further, instead of the transparent conductive film 52 or together with the transparent conductive film 52, a so-called cold mirror using a difference in refractive index of a transparent material, for example, a multilayer film of titanium oxide film, silicon oxide film, white alumina, AlN May be combined with the reflective layer 53.

The metal substrate 50 can be made of a plurality of metal layers.
The metal substrate is preferably formed by alternately laminating two kinds of metal layers.
In particular, the total number of the two types of metal layers is preferably an odd number.

In this case, from the viewpoint of warping and cracking of the metal substrate, when a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the compound semiconductor layer 2 is used as the second metal layer 50B, the first metal layers 50A and 50A are more than the compound semiconductor layer 3. It is preferable to use a material made of a material having a large thermal expansion coefficient. Since the thermal expansion coefficient of the metal substrate as a whole is close to the thermal expansion coefficient of the compound semiconductor layer, it is possible to suppress warping and cracking of the metal substrate when the compound semiconductor layer and the metal substrate are joined, and the light emitting diode This is because the production yield can be improved. Similarly, when a material having a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the compound semiconductor layer 2 is used as the second metal layer 50B, the first metal layers 50A and 50A are made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the compound semiconductor layer 2. It is preferable to use it. Since the thermal expansion coefficient of the metal substrate as a whole is close to the thermal expansion coefficient of the compound semiconductor layer, it is possible to suppress warping and cracking of the metal substrate when joining the compound semiconductor layer and the metal substrate, and the production yield of light emitting diodes It is because it can improve.
From the above viewpoint, any of the two types of metal layers may be the first metal layer or the second metal layer.
Examples of the two metal layers include silver (thermal expansion coefficient = 18.9 ppm / K), copper (thermal expansion coefficient = 16.5 ppm / K), gold (thermal expansion coefficient = 14.2 ppm / K), and aluminum. (Thermal expansion coefficient = 23.1 ppm / K), nickel (thermal expansion coefficient = 13.4 ppm / K) and a metal layer made of any of these alloys, molybdenum (thermal expansion coefficient = 5.1 ppm / K), Combinations of tungsten (thermal expansion coefficient = 4.3 ppm / K), chromium (thermal expansion coefficient = 4.9 ppm / K), and a metal layer made of any of these alloys can be used.
A preferred example is a metal substrate composed of three layers of Cu / Mo / Cu. From the above viewpoint, the same effect can be obtained with a metal substrate composed of three layers of Mo / Cu / Mo, but the metal substrate composed of three layers of Cu / Mo / Cu is a Cu layer that has high mechanical strength and is easy to process Mo. Therefore, there is an advantage that processing such as cutting is easier than a metal substrate composed of three layers of Mo / Cu / Mo.

  The thermal expansion coefficient of the entire metal substrate is, for example, 6.1 ppm / K for a three-layer metal substrate of Cu (30 μm) / Mo (25 μm) / Cu (30 μm), and Mo (25 μm) / Cu (70 μm). In the case of a metal substrate composed of three layers of / Mo (25 μm), it is 5.7 ppm / K.

From the viewpoint of heat dissipation, the metal layer constituting the metal substrate is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity. This is because the heat dissipation of the metal substrate can be increased, the light emitting diode can emit light with high brightness, and the life of the light emitting diode can be extended.
For example, silver (thermal conductivity = 420 W / m · K), copper (thermal conductivity = 398 W / m · K), gold (thermal conductivity = 320 W / m · K), aluminum (thermal conductivity = 236 W / m) · K), molybdenum (thermal conductivity = 138 W / m · K), tungsten (thermal conductivity = 174 W / m · K), and alloys thereof are preferably used.
More preferably, the metal layers are made of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the compound semiconductor layer. In particular, the material of the metal layer is preferably a material having a thermal expansion coefficient that is within ± 1.5 ppm / K of the thermal expansion coefficient of the compound semiconductor layer. As a result, it is possible to reduce stress due to heat applied to the light emitting portion when the metal substrate and the compound semiconductor layer are joined, and to suppress cracking of the metal substrate due to heat when the metal substrate is connected to the compound semiconductor layer. The manufacturing yield of the light emitting diode can be improved.
The thermal conductivity of the entire metal substrate is, for example, 250 W / m · K for a three-layer metal substrate of Cu (30 μm) / Mo (25 μm) / Cu (30 μm), and Mo (25 μm) / Cu (70 μm) / In the case of a metal substrate composed of three layers of Mo (25 μm), it is 220 W / m · K.

<Light Emitting Diode (Fifth Embodiment)>
The light-emitting diode according to the fifth embodiment includes a well layer having a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1), a composition formula (Al _X3 Ga _1-X3 ) _Y2 In _1-Y2. An active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers made of P (0 ≦ X3 ≦ 1, 0 <Y2 ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, and a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer, A light-emitting part, a current diffusion layer formed on the light-emitting part, and a reflective layer that is disposed opposite to the light-emitting part and has a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength, and is bonded to the current diffusion layer And the first and second cladding layers have the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) _Y1 In _1-Y1 P; 0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1, 0 <Y1 ≦ 1) Features.

  Also in the present embodiment, those exemplified in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment can be used as the functional substrate.

  Hereinafter, the effect of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

  In this example, an example in which a light-emitting diode according to the present invention is manufactured will be specifically described. After the light emitting diode was manufactured, a light emitting diode lamp having a light emitting diode chip mounted on a substrate was prepared for characteristic evaluation.

Example 1
The light-emitting diode of Example 1 is an example of the first embodiment.
First, an epitaxial wafer was fabricated by sequentially laminating compound semiconductor layers on a GaAs substrate made of an n-type GaAs single crystal doped with Si. In the GaAs substrate, a plane inclined by 15 ° in the (0-1-1) direction from the (100) plane was used as a growth plane, and the carrier concentration was set to 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ . The layer thickness of the GaAs substrate was about 0.5 μm. The compound semiconductor layer is an n-type buffer layer made of GaAs doped with Si, an n-type contact layer made of Si-doped (Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P, Si N-type upper clad layer made of (Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P, upper guide layer made of Al _0.4 Ga _0.6 As, Al _0.18 Ga _0.82 As / Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 As 20 well layers / barrier layers, Al _0.4 Ga _0.6 As lower guide layer, Mg doped (Al _0.7 Ga _0.3) p-type lower cladding layer composed of _0.5 in _{0.5 P,} an intermediate layer of a thin film made of _{(Al 0.5 Ga 0.5) 0.5 in} 0.5 P, p which is Mg-doped A current diffusion layer made of type GaP.

In this example, a compound semiconductor layer was epitaxially grown on a GaAs substrate having a diameter of 76 mm and a thickness of 350 μm by using a low pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition apparatus method (MOCVD apparatus) to form an epitaxial wafer. When growing an epitaxial growth layer, trimethylaluminum ((CH ₃ ) ₃ Al), trimethylgallium ((CH ₃ ) ₃ Ga) and trimethylindium ((CH ₃ ) ₃ In) are used as the raw material for the group III constituent element did. Further, biscyclopentadienyl magnesium (bis- (C ₅ H ₅ ) ₂ Mg) was used as a Mg doping material. Further, disilane (Si ₂ H ₆ ) was used as a Si doping material. Further, phosphine (PH ₃ ) and arsine (AsH ₃ ) were used as raw materials for the group V constituent elements. As the growth temperature of each layer, the current diffusion layer made of p-type GaP was grown at 750 ° C. The other layers were grown at 700 ° C.

The buffer layer made of GaAs has a carrier concentration of about 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The contact layer had a carrier concentration of about 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 3.5 μm. The upper cladding layer had a carrier concentration of about 1 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The upper guide layer was undoped and had a thickness of about 50 nm. The well layer was undoped Al _0.18 Ga _0.82 As with a thickness of about 17 nm, and the barrier layer was undoped Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 As with a thickness of about 19 nm. Further, 20 pairs of well layers and barrier layers were alternately laminated. The lower guide layer was undoped and had a thickness of about 50 nm. The lower cladding layer had a carrier concentration of about 8 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The intermediate layer had a carrier concentration of about 8 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.05 μm. The current diffusion layer made of GaP has a carrier concentration of about 3 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 9 μm.

Next, the current diffusion layer was polished to a region extending from the surface to a depth of about 1 μm and mirror-finished. By this mirror finishing, the roughness of the surface of the current diffusion layer was set to 0.18 nm. On the other hand, a functional substrate made of n-type GaP to be attached to the mirror-polished surface of the current diffusion layer was prepared. A single crystal having a plane orientation of (111) was used for the functional substrate for pasting, to which Si was added so that the carrier concentration was about 2 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ . The functional substrate had a diameter of 76 mm and a thickness of 250 μm. The surface of this functional substrate was polished to a mirror surface before being bonded to the current spreading layer, and finished to a root mean square value (rms) of 0.12 nm.

Next, the functional substrate and the epitaxial wafer were carried into a general semiconductor material pasting apparatus, and the inside of the apparatus was evacuated to 3 × 10 ⁻⁵ Pa.

Next, the surface of both the functional substrate and the current spreading layer was irradiated with an Ar beam neutralized by colliding electrons for 3 minutes. Thereafter, the surfaces of the functional substrate and the current diffusion layer were superposed in a sticking apparatus maintained in vacuum, a load was applied so that the pressure on each surface was 50 g / cm ^2, and both were bonded at room temperature. In this way, a bonded wafer was formed.

  Next, the GaAs substrate and the GaAs buffer layer were selectively removed from the bonded wafer with an ammonia-based etchant. Next, the first electrode was formed on the surface of the contact layer by vacuum deposition so that the thickness of AuGe and Ni alloy was 0.5 μm, Pt was 0.2 μm, and Au was 1 μm. Thereafter, patterning was performed using a general photolithography means, and an n-type ohmic electrode was formed as the first electrode. Next, the surface of the light extraction surface, which is the surface from which the GaAs substrate was removed, was roughened.

Next, the epi layer in the region where the p-type ohmic electrode was formed as the second electrode was selectively removed to expose the current diffusion layer. A p-type ohmic electrode was formed on the exposed surface of the current diffusion layer by vacuum deposition so that AuBe was 0.2 μm and Au was 1 μm. Thereafter, heat treatment was performed at 450 ° C. for 10 minutes to form an alloy, and low resistance p-type and n-type ohmic electrodes were formed.
Next, a 230 μm square third electrode made of Au having a thickness of 0.2 μm was formed on the functional substrate.

  Next, using a dicing saw, the region where the third electrode is not formed from the back surface of the functional substrate is set so that the angle α of the inclined surface becomes 70 ° and the thickness of the vertical surface becomes 80 μm. A letter-shaped grooving was performed. Next, a dicing saw was used to cut from the compound semiconductor layer side at 350 μm intervals to form chips. The crushing layer and dirt by dicing were removed by etching with a mixed solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide to produce a light emitting diode of Example 1.

  100 light emitting diode lamps each having the light emitting diode chip of Example 1 manufactured as described above mounted on a mount substrate were assembled. In this light-emitting diode lamp, the mount is supported (mounted) by a die bonder, the n-type ohmic electrode of the light-emitting diode and the n-electrode terminal provided on the surface of the mount substrate are wire-bonded with a gold wire, and the p-type ohmic electrode and the p-type electrode are connected. The electrode terminal was wire bonded with a gold wire and then sealed with a general epoxy resin.

Table 1 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp).
As shown in Table 4, when current was passed between the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes, infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (Vf) when a current of 20 milliamperes (mA) flows in the forward direction is the low resistance at each junction interface between the current diffusion layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer and the functional substrate and each ohmic resistance. Reflecting the good ohmic characteristics of the electrode, it was about 2.0 volts. The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 14 mW.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 98%. The VF did not vary and was 100%.

(Example 2)
The light-emitting diode of Example 2 is an example of the second embodiment.
The compound semiconductor layer is formed under the following conditions, and other conditions are the same as in Example 1.
On a GaAs substrate made of an n-type GaAs single crystal doped with Si, a plane inclined by 15 ° in the (0-1-1) direction from the (100) plane is the growth plane, and the carrier concentration is 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ^{−. It was set to 3} . As the compound semiconductor layer, an n-type buffer layer made of GaAs doped with Si, an n-type contact layer made of Si-doped (Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P, Si N-type upper clad layer made of (Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P, doped with (Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P Upper guide layer, well layer / barrier layer made of Al _0.18 Ga _0.82 As / (Al _0.1 Ga _0.9 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P, (Al _0.3 Ga _{0. 7) 0.5} in _0.5 lower guide layer made of P, doped with Mg _{(Al 0.7} Ga _0.3) p-type lower cladding layer composed of _{0.5 in} 0.5 P, (Al _{0 .5} Ga _0.5) an intermediate layer of a thin film made of _0.5 in _0.5 P, Using current diffusion layer made of g-doped p-type GaP.
The buffer layer made of GaAs has a carrier concentration of about 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The contact layer had a carrier concentration of about 2 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 3.5 μm. The upper cladding layer had a carrier concentration of about 1 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The upper guide layer was undoped and had a thickness of about 50 nm. The well layer is undoped Al _0.18 Ga _0.82 As with a thickness of about 17 nm, and the barrier layer is undoped (Al _0.1 Ga _0.9 ) _0.5 In _{0. 5} P. Further, the number of pairs of well layers and barrier layers was set to 20. The lower guide layer was undoped and had a thickness of about 50 nm. The lower cladding layer had a carrier concentration of about 8 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.5 μm. The intermediate layer had a carrier concentration of about 8 × 10 ¹⁷ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 0.05 μm. The current diffusion layer made of GaP has a carrier concentration of about 3 × 10 ¹⁸ cm ⁻³ and a layer thickness of about 9 μm.

Table 4 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp).
As shown in Table 4, when current was passed between the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes, infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (V _F ) when a current of 20 milliamperes (mA) is passed in the forward direction is low in resistance at the junction interface between the current diffusion layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer and the functional substrate. Reflecting the good ohmic characteristics of the ohmic electrode, it was about 2.2 volts. The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 12 mW.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 99%. The VF did not vary and was 100%.

(Example 3)
The light-emitting diode of Example 3 is an example of the third embodiment, and has a configuration in which a functional substrate including a reflective layer is bonded to a current diffusion layer. With reference to FIG. 8 (a) and (b), the manufacturing method of the light emitting diode of Example 3 is demonstrated. The lower guide layer and the upper guide layer are not shown.

The compound semiconductor layer was formed under the same conditions as in Example 1.
Next, on the surface of the current diffusion layer 8, eight electrodes 21 made of 20 μmφ dots of AuBe / Au alloy having a thickness of 0.2 μm were arranged at equal intervals so as to be 50 μm from the end of the light extraction surface.
Next, an ITO film 22 which is a transparent conductive film was formed by a sputtering method with a thickness of 0.4 μm. Further, a layer 23 made of silver alloy / Ti / Au was formed to a thickness of 0.2 μm / 0.1 μm / 1 μm to form a reflective layer 23.

On the other hand, a layer 32 made of Ti / Au / In was formed on the surface of the silicon substrate 30 with a thickness of 0.1 μm / 0.5 μm / 0.3 μm. A layer 33 made of Ti / Au was formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 30 to a thickness of 0.1 μm / 0.5 μm. The Au on the light emitting diode wafer side and the In surface on the silicon substrate side were superposed and heated at 320 ° C. and pressurized at 500 g / cm ² to bond the functional substrate to the light emitting diode wafer.

  The GaAs substrate is removed, an AuGe / Au ohmic electrode 25 having a diameter of 100 μm and a thickness of 3 μm is formed on the surface of the contact layer 16, and heat-treated at 420 ° C. for 5 minutes to alloy the p and n ohmic electrodes. did.

Next, the surface of the contact layer 16 was roughened.
The semiconductor layer, the reflective layer, and the eutectic metal that were to be cut for separation into chips were removed, and the silicon substrate was cut into squares at a pitch of 350 μm with a dicing saw.

Table 4 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp).
As shown in Table 4, when a current was passed between the upper and lower electrodes, light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (V _F ) when a current of 20 milliamperes (mA) is passed in the forward direction is low in resistance at the junction interface between the current diffusion layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer and the functional substrate. Reflecting the good ohmic characteristics of the ohmic electrode, it was about 1.9 volts (V). The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 10 mW.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 98%. The VF did not vary and was 100%.

Example 4
The light-emitting diode of Example 4 is an example of the fourth embodiment, and has a configuration in which a functional substrate including a reflective layer and a metal substrate is bonded to a current diffusion layer. With reference to FIG. 9, the light-emitting diode of Example 4 will be described.

  First, a metal substrate was produced. Two substantially flat Cu plates with a thickness of 10 μm and one substantially flat Mo plate with a thickness of 75 μm are prepared, and the Mo plates are inserted between the two Cu plates and stacked. And the said board | substrate was arrange | positioned to the pressurization apparatus, and the load was applied in the direction which pinches | interposes them with respect to these metal plates under high temperature. Thus, a metal substrate composed of three layers of Cu (10 μm) / Mo (75 μm) / Cu (10 μm) was produced.

The compound semiconductor layer is formed of Si-doped (Al _0.5 Ga _0.5 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P between the buffer layer and the contact layer, and an etching stop layer having a layer thickness of 0.5 μm. It formed on the same conditions as Example 1 except the point formed.
On the surface 8b of the current spreading layer 8, Au having a thickness of 0.2 μm is laminated on AuBe having a thickness of 0.4 μm, and when viewed in plan, it has a circular shape of 20 μmφ, with an interval of 60 μm. A second electrode 57 was formed.
Next, an ITO film 52, which is a transparent conductive film, was formed by sputtering to a thickness of 0.8 μm so as to cover the second electrode 57.
Next, a film made of a silver (Ag) alloy is formed to 0.7 μm on the ITO film 52 by vapor deposition, and then a film made of nickel (Ni) / titanium (Ti) is made to 0.5 μm, gold A film made of (Au) was formed to a thickness of 1 μm to form a reflective film 53.
Next, the structure in which the ITO film 52 and the reflective film 53 are formed on the current diffusion layer 8 of the compound semiconductor layer and the metal substrate are arranged so as to face each other and are carried into a decompression apparatus, and are brought to 400 ° C. In the state heated by, they were joined with a load of 500 kg to form a joined structure.
Next, the GaAs substrate, which is a growth substrate for the compound semiconductor layer, and the buffer layer were selectively removed from the bonded structure with an ammonia-based etchant, and the etching stop layer was selectively removed with a hydrochloric acid-based etchant.
Next, using a vacuum deposition method, AuGe is deposited on the contact layer to a thickness of 0.15 μm, Ni is deposited to a thickness of 0.05 μm, and Au is further deposited to a thickness of 1 μm. A first electrode conductive film was formed by film formation. Next, by using photolithography, the electrode conductive film was patterned into a circular shape in plan view, and a first electrode 55 having a diameter of 100 μm and a thickness of 3 μm was produced.
Next, using the first electrode as a mask, the contact layer 56 was formed by etching away the portion of the contact layer except under the first electrode with an ammonia-based etchant.
The compound semiconductor layer, the reflective layer, and the eutectic metal to be cut to be separated into chips were removed, and the metal substrate was cut into squares at a pitch of 350 μm by laser dicing.

Table 4 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp).
As shown in Table 4, when current was passed between the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes, infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (V _F ) when a current of 20 milliamperes (mA) is passed in the forward direction is low in resistance at the junction interface between the current diffusion layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer and the functional substrate. Reflecting the good ohmic characteristics of the ohmic electrode, it was about 1.9 volts. The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 10 mW.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 99%. The VF did not vary and was 100%.

(Example 5)
The light-emitting diode of Example 5 is an example of the fifth embodiment.
The compound semiconductor layer is formed under the same conditions as in Example 2, and the other conditions are the same as in Example 3.

Table 4 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp).
As shown in Table 4, when current was passed between the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes, infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (V _F ) when a current of 20 milliamperes (mA) is passed in the forward direction is low in resistance at the junction interface between the current diffusion layer constituting the compound semiconductor layer and the functional substrate. Reflecting the good ohmic characteristics of the ohmic electrode, it was about 2.1 volts. The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 9.4 mW.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 99%. The VF did not vary and was 100%.

(Example 6)
The light-emitting diode of Example 6 is an example of the first embodiment, in which the Al composition X1 of the well layer is set to 0.20 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 720 nm, and the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _{1 -X2} ) The barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) has an Al composition X2 = 0.35, that is, the light emitting portion is made of a pair of Al _0.2 Ga _0.8 As / Al _0.35 Ga _0.65 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Red light having a peak wavelength of 680 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ), forward voltage (V _F ), The average of the output remaining ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 14 mW, 2 V, 100%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 7)
The light-emitting diode of Example 7 is an example of the second embodiment. The Al composition X1 of the well layer was set to 0.20 so that the emission peak wavelength was 720 nm, and the composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _{Y2 in 1-Y2 P (0} ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 ≦ 1) barrier layer of Al composition X4 = 0.1, and it was Y2 = 0.5, i.e., the light emitting portion _{Al 0.28} Ga _It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1, except that the well layer / barrier layer was made of _0.72 As / (Al _0.1 Ga _0.9 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Red light having a peak wavelength of 680 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ), forward voltage (V _F ), The average of the output remaining ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 12 mW, 2.2 V, 99%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 8)
The light-emitting diode of Example 8 is an example of the third embodiment, in which the Al composition X1 of the well layer is set to 0.20 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 720 nm, the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) The barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) has an Al composition X2 = 0.35, that is, the light emitting portion is made of a pair of Al _0.20 Ga _0.80 As / Al _0.35 Ga _0.65 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed. Note that the change from the Al composition X2 = 0.30 of the barrier layer to X = 0.35 does not affect the emission peak wavelength.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Red light having a peak wavelength of 720 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ), forward voltage (V _F ), The average of the output remaining ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 10 mW, 1.9 V, 98%, and 100%, respectively.

Example 9
The light-emitting diode of Example 9 is an example of the fifth embodiment, in which the Al composition X1 of the well layer is set to 0.20 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 720 nm, and the composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _1-X4 ) _{Y2 in 1-Y2 P (0} ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 ≦ 1) barrier layer of Al composition X4 = 0.1, and it was Y2 = 0.5, i.e., the light emitting portion _{Al 0.20} Ga _It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the well layer / barrier layer was made of _0.80 As / (Al _0.1 Ga _0.9 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of this light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Red light having a peak wavelength of 720 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ), forward voltage (V _F ), The average of the output remaining ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 9.5 mW, 2.1 V, 100%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 10)
The light-emitting diode of Example 10 is an example of the first embodiment, and the Al composition X1 of the well layer was set to 0.13 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 760 nm, and the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) The Al composition X2 of the barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) was set to 0.3, that is, the light emitting part was made of a pair of Al _0.13 Ga _0.87 As / Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Infrared light having a peak wavelength of 760 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ) and forward voltage (V _F ). The average of the output residual ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 15 mW, 2.0 V, 98%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 11)
The light-emitting diode of Example 11 is an example of the second embodiment, and the Al composition X1 of the well layer was set to 0.13 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 760 nm, the composition formula (Al _X4 Ga _{1 -X4} ) _{Y2 in 1-Y2 P (0} ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 ≦ 1) barrier layer of Al composition X4 = 0.1, and it was Y2 = 0.5, i.e., the light emitting portion _{Al 0.13} Ga _It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 2 except that the well layer / barrier layer was made of _0.87 As / (Al _0.1 Ga _0.9 ) _0.5 In _0.5 P.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Red light having a peak wavelength of 760 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ), forward voltage (V _F ), The average of the output remaining ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 12.7 mW, 2.2 V, 99%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 12)
The light-emitting diode of Example 12 is an example of the third embodiment, in which the Al composition X1 of the well layer is set to 0.13 in order to set the emission peak wavelength to 760 nm, the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) The Al composition X2 of the barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) was set to 0.3, that is, the light emitting part was made of a pair of Al _0.13 Ga _0.87 As / Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Infrared light having a peak wavelength of 760 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ) and forward voltage (V _F ). The average of the output residual ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 11 mW, 1.9 V, 98%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 13)
The light-emitting diode of Example 13 is an example of the first embodiment, and the Al composition X1 of the well layer was set to 0.19 so that the emission peak wavelength was 725 nm, and the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) The Al composition of the barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) was set to X2 = 0.35, that is, the light emitting part was made of a pair of Al _0.19 Ga _0.81 As / Al _0.35 Ga _0.65 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Infrared light having a peak wavelength of 725 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ) and the forward voltage (V _F ). The average of the output residual ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 14 mW, 2.0 V, 98%, and 100%, respectively.

(Example 14)
The light-emitting diode of Example 14 is an example of the first embodiment, and the Al composition X1 of the well layer was set to 0.15 so that the emission peak wavelength was 755 nm, the composition formula (Al _X2 Ga ₁ -X2) The Al composition X2 of the barrier layer of As (0 ≦ X2 ≦ 1) was set to 0.30, that is, the light emitting portion was made of a pair of Al _0.14 Ga _0.86 As / Al _0.3 Ga _0.7 As. It was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the well layer / barrier layer was changed.
The results of evaluating the characteristics of the light emitting diode (light emitting diode lamp) are as shown in Table 4. Infrared light having a peak wavelength of 755 nm is emitted, and the light emission output (P ₀ ) and forward voltage (V _F ). The average of the output residual ratio and the fluctuation of the forward voltage were 14.7 mW, 2.0 V, 98%, and 100%, respectively.

(Comparative Example 1)
The light emitting diode of Comparative Example 1 was formed by a liquid phase epitaxial method which is a conventional technique. This is a light emitting diode having a light emitting part of a double hetero structure having an Al _0.2 Ga _0.8 As light emitting layer on a GaAs substrate.

Specifically, the light emitting diode of Comparative Example 1 was manufactured by forming an n-type upper clad layer made of Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 As on an n-type (100) GaAs single crystal substrate with a thickness of 20 μm, Al _An undoped light emitting layer made of _0.2 Ga _0.8 As is 2 μm, a p-type lower cladding layer made of Al _0.7 Ga _0.3 As is 20 μm, and Al _0.6 Ga _{0 is} transparent to the light emission wavelength. _A p-type thick film layer made of _.4 As was prepared by a liquid phase epitaxial method so as to be 120 μm. After this epitaxial growth, the GaAs substrate was removed. Next, an n-type ohmic electrode having a diameter of 100 μm was formed on the surface of the n-type AlGaAs. Next, p-type ohmic electrodes having a diameter of 20 μm were formed on the back surface of the p-type AlGaAs at intervals of 80 μm. Next, after cutting with a dicing saw at intervals of 350 μm, the crushed layer was removed by etching to produce a light-emitting diode chip of Comparative Example 1.

Table 1 shows the results of evaluating the characteristics of the light-emitting diode lamp on which the light-emitting diode of Comparative Example 1 was mounted.
As shown in Table 1, when current was passed between the n-type and p-type ohmic electrodes, infrared light having a peak wavelength of 730 nm was emitted. The forward voltage (Vf) when a current of 20 mA (mA) was passed in the forward direction was about 1.9 volts (V). The light emission output when the forward current was 20 mA was 5 mW. Moreover, the output of any sample of Comparative Example 1 was lower than that of the example of the present invention.
Twenty lamps were subjected to a high-temperature and high-humidity energization test at 60 ° C., 90 RH%, 20 mA.
The average output remaining rate after 1000 hours was 83%. There was no fluctuation of VF and it was 105%.

The lamp of the comparative example had a very low output of 1/2 or less compared to the embodiment of the present invention. Also, the reliability of the high temperature and high humidity, embodiments have had little change, the comparative example, the output drop and V _F increase was observed. This is probably because the surface of the high-concentration Al of the light-emitting diode was oxidized (corroded), obstructing light transmission, and the resistance increased.

  The light-emitting diode of the present invention emits infrared light with high efficiency, and can be used as a high-power light-emitting diode product that cannot be obtained with a liquid phase epitaxial AlGaAs LED such as a light source for plant growth. In addition, there is a possibility of replacing the conventional AlGaAs light emitting layer LED as a high output product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light emitting diode 2 ... Compound semiconductor layer 3 ... Functional board | substrate 3a ... Vertical surface 3b ... Inclined surface 4 ... N-type ohmic electrode (1st electrode)
5 ... p-type ohmic electrode (second electrode)
6 ... 3rd electrode 7 ... Light emitting part 8 ... Current diffusion layer 9 ... Lower clad layer 10 ... Lower guide layer
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Light emitting (active) layer 12 ... Upper guide layer 13 ... Upper clad layer 14 ... GaAs substrate 15 ... Buffer layer 16 ... Contact layer
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Well layer 18 ... Barrier layer 20 ... Light emitting diode 21 ... Electrode 22 ... Transparent conductive film 23 ... Reflective layer 25 ... Bonding electrode 30 Silicon substrate 31 Functional substrate 41 ... Light-emitting diode lamp 42 ... Mount substrate 43 ... n electrode terminal 44 ... p electrode terminal 45,46 ... gold wire 47 ... epoxy resin α ... on inclined surface and light emitting surface Angle formed by parallel planes 50: metal substrate 51 ... functional substrate 52 ... transparent conductive film 53 ... reflective layer 55 ... first electrode 56 ... contact layer 57 ...・ Second electrode

Claims (19)

A well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a barrier layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 ≦ 1) alternately A light emitting part having an active layer having a stacked quantum well structure, and a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer;
A current spreading layer formed on the light emitting part;
A functional substrate bonded to the current spreading layer,
The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cladding layers are composed of a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1). Composition formula _{(Al X1 Ga 1-X1)} and a well layer made of As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) , formula _{(Al X4 Ga 1-X4)} Y2 In 1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 An active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers composed of ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, and a light emitting unit having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer,
A current spreading layer formed on the light emitting part;
A functional substrate bonded to the current spreading layer,
The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the first and second clad layers have a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1).   The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the functional substrate is transparent with respect to an emission wavelength. The light emitting diode according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the functional substrate is made of GaP, sapphire, or SiC.
Is a light-emitting diode according to 2. A well layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X1 Ga _1-X1 ) As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) and a barrier layer composed of a composition formula (Al _X2 Ga _1-X2 ) As (0 <X2 ≦ 1) alternately A light emitting part having an active layer having a stacked quantum well structure, and a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer;
A current spreading layer formed on the light emitting part;
A reflective substrate disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength, and a functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer,
The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cladding layers are composed of a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1). Composition formula _{(Al X1 Ga 1-X1)} and a well layer made of As (0 ≦ X1 ≦ 1) , formula _{(Al X4 Ga 1-X4)} Y2 In 1-Y2 P (0 ≦ X4 ≦ 1,0 <Y2 An active layer having a quantum well structure in which barrier layers composed of ≦ 1) are alternately stacked, and a light emitting unit having a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer sandwiching the active layer,
A current spreading layer formed on the light emitting part;
A reflective substrate disposed opposite to the light emitting portion and having a reflectance of 90% or more with respect to the emission wavelength, and a functional substrate bonded to the current diffusion layer,
The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the first and second clad layers have a composition formula ( _{AlX3Ga1 -X3} ) _{Y1In1 -Y1P} (0≤X3≤1, 0 <Y1≤1).   The light emitting diode according to claim 5, wherein the functional substrate includes a layer made of silicon or germanium.   The light emitting diode according to claim 5, wherein the functional substrate includes a metal substrate.   9. The light emitting diode according to claim 8, wherein the metal substrate comprises a plurality of metal layers.   The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the current diffusion layer is made of GaP.   11. The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the current diffusion layer is in a range of 0.5 to 20 μm.   The side surface of the functional substrate has a vertical surface that is substantially perpendicular to the main light extraction surface on the side close to the light emitting unit, and is inside the main light extraction surface on the side far from the light emitting unit. The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode has an inclined surface.   The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface includes a rough surface.   The light emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are provided on the main light extraction surface side of the light emitting diode.   The light emitting diode according to claim 14, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are ohmic electrodes.   The light emitting diode according to claim 14, further comprising a third electrode on a surface of the functional substrate opposite to the main light extraction surface.   A light-emitting diode lamp comprising the light-emitting diode according to claim 1.   A light-emitting diode lamp comprising the light-emitting diode according to claim 16, wherein the first electrode or the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to substantially the same potential.   An illumination device on which a plurality of light emitting diodes according to any one of claims 1 to 16 are mounted.

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