LED surface modification with ultraviolet laser

• Main Authors: Brennan, Vincent, Pourchet, Allan
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.05.2023
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

A laser light is used to modify the surface of the gallium semiconductor layer of an LED. The parameters of the laser are selected so that the laser interacts with the gallium semiconductor layer in a desired manner to yield the desired surface properties. For example, if a particular surface roughness is desired, the power of the laser light is selected so that the laser light penetrates the gallium semiconductor layer to a depth matching the desired surface roughness. The same principles can also be applied in a process that creates features such as trenches, pits, lenses, and mirrors on the gallium semiconductor layer of an LED. The laser projector is operated to irradiate a region of the gallium semiconductor layer to create a region of metallic gallium. The desired surface roughness and the different features can advantageously improve the beam collimation, light extraction, and other properties of the LED.