Semiconductor light-emitting element

The present invention relates to a semiconductor light-emitting element, such as a light-emitting diode (LED).

A semiconductor light-emitting element is usually manufactured by growing, on a growth substrate, a semiconductor structure layer composed of an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer and forming an n-electrode and a p-electrode that apply voltage to the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer, respectively.

Patent literature 1 discloses a light-emitting device produced by forming at least two types of semiconductor light-emitting elements on one substrate material and applying, to the respective semiconductor light-emitting elements, a plurality of types of phosphors that react to the respective light-emitting wavelengths of the semiconductor light-emitting elements. Patent literature 2 discloses a white light-emitting diode in which red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes are laminated in this order in order to emit light in the same direction. Patent Literature 3 discloses a white light-emitting element including: a first light-emitting portion bonded to a conductive sub-mount substrate by a metal layer; and a second light-emitting portion formed on one region of the upper surface of the conductive sub-mount substrate. Patent Literature 4 discloses a semiconductor light-emitting element including a plurality of well layers composed of InGaN in which the In compositions of the well layers are different.

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-71805

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-249460

Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-339646

Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-179493

Technical Problem

Emission of light by a semiconductor light-emitting element is induced when binding (recombination) of an electron and a hole injected into the element through electrodes occurs in the active layer of the element. The wavelength of the light emitted from the active layer (i.e. light-emitting color) differs depending on the band gap of the semiconductor materials that make up the active layer. For example, a light-emitting element using a nitrite-based semiconductor emits blue light from its active layer.

A light source is required to have color rendering properties for, for example, lighting applications. A light source with high color rendering properties is a type of light source that emits near natural light. To achieve high color rendering properties, it is preferable that light emitted from a light source have a wavelength that substantially covers the entire wavelength of the visible region. For example, light extracted from a light source with high color rendering properties is observed as white light.

In this regard, as disclosed in the aforementioned patent literatures, various methods of using a semiconductor light-emitting element to acquire white light have been proposed. In one example method of manufacturing a light-emitting device, a wavelength conversion component, such as a phosphor, is mixed into a sealing resin to seal the element by the sealing resin. For example, in the case of a semiconductor light-emitting element using an active layer that emits blue light, a part of blue light from the active layer is converted into yellow light by a phosphor, and the two types of light are mixed and emitted to the outside. The emitted light as a whole is thus observed as white light. In another proposed technique, by laminating a plurality of active layers with different compositions, the light-emitting wavelength range is widened without using a phosphor.

However, a light-emitting device manufactured using the aforementioned methods has problems relating to the uniformity of the light-emitting wavelength within the device, the complexity of the manufacturing process, and light-emitting intensity. Possible reasons include: addition of a phosphor mixing step; change of the wavelength conversion efficiency of a phosphor over time, addition of a processing step of a semiconductor layer, and deterioration of crystallinity due to processing of a semiconductor layer.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor light-emitting element that does not require a wavelength conversion member, such as a phosphor, and that has a light-emitting wavelength band (spectral width) over a wide range of the visible region and has high color rendering properties and a high light-emitting intensity.

Solution to Problem

A semiconductor light-emitting element according to the present invention includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a light-emitting functional layer that is formed on the first semiconductor layer and includes first and second light-emitting layers; and a second semiconductor layer that is formed on the light-emitting functional layer and is of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the first semiconductor layer. The first light-emitting layer has: a first base layer that has a composition subject to stress strain from the first semiconductor layer and has a plurality of first base segments partitioned into a random net shape; a first quantum well layer that retains a segment shape of the first base segment and is formed on the first base layer; and a first barrier layer that has a flat surface flattened by embedding the first base layer and the first quantum well layer. The second light-emitting layer has: a second base layer that has a composition subject to stress strain from the first barrier layer and has a plurality of second base segments partitioned into a random net shape; a second quantum well layer that retains a segment shape of the second base segment and is formed on the second base layer; and a second barrier layer formed on the second quantum well layer.

FIG. 1( a ) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a semiconductor light-emitting element according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1( b ) is a schematic top plan view of a base layer of a first light-emitting layer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a light-emitting functional layer of the semiconductor light-emitting element according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a semiconductor light-emitting element according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an emission spectrum from the semiconductor light-emitting element according to the modified example of the first embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail hereinbelow. In this specification, an identical reference numeral is assigned to like constituent elements.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1( a ) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a semiconductor light-emitting element (hereinafter, simply referred to as “light-emitting element” or “element” in some cases) 10 according to a first embodiment. In the structure of the semiconductor light-emitting element 10 , a semiconductor structure layer SL is formed on a mounting substrate (hereinafter, simply referred to as “substrate” in some cases) 11 . The semiconductor structure layer SL includes an n-type semiconductor layer (first semiconductor layer) 12 formed on the mounting substrate 11 , a light-emitting functional layer 13 formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and including first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B, an electron blocking layer 14 formed on the light-emitting functional layer 13 , and a p-type semiconductor layer (second semiconductor layer, i.e. a semiconductor layer whose conductivity type is opposite to the conductivity type of the first semiconductor layer 12 ) 15 formed on the electron blocking layer 14 .

According to the embodiment, the mounting substrate 11 is composed of a growth substrate used for growth of, for example, the semiconductor structure layer SL, and is made of sapphire, for example. In addition, the semiconductor structure layer SL is composed of a nitride-based semiconductor. The semiconductor light-emitting element 10 can be manufactured by growing the semiconductor structure layer SL on the sapphire substrate, for example, whose C-plane surface serves as a crystal growth surface, using the Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) method. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the light-emitting element 10 has an n-electrode and a p-electrode that apply voltage to the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 , respectively.

The embodiment is illustrated with reference to the structure of the light-emitting element 10 where the semiconductor structure layer SL is formed on a growth substrate serving as the mounting substrate 11 . However, the embodiment is not limited to the structure where the mounting substrate 11 is the growth substrate. For example, the semiconductor light-emitting element 10 may have a structure obtained by first growing the semiconductor structure layer SL on a growth substrate, bonding the semiconductor structure layer SL to another substrate, and removing the growth substrate. In this case, the other substrate thus bonded is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer 15 . The aforementioned bonded substrate may use materials with a high degree of heat dissipation, such as, Si, AlN, Mo, W, and CuW.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, a buffer layer (underlayer) may be provided between the mounting substrate 11 and the n-type semiconductor layer 12 . The buffer layer is, for example, provided for the purpose of mitigating the strain possibly generated on the interface between the growth substrate and the semiconductor structure layer SL as well as on the interface between layers of the semiconductor structure layer SL. In this embodiment, after a GaN layer is grown on a sapphire substrate (mounting substrate 11 ) as a buffer layer, the n-type semiconductor layer 12 is laminated.

The n-type semiconductor layer 12 is composed of, for example, a GaN layer containing an n-type dopant (for example, Si). The electron blocking layer 14 is composed of, for example, an AlGaN layer. The p-type semiconductor layer 15 is composed of, for example, a GaN layer containing a p-type dopant (for example, Mg). The n-type semiconductor layer 12 may be composed of a plurality of n-type semiconductor layers with different dopant concentrations. The electron blocking layer 14 may contain a p-type dopant. The p-type semiconductor layer 15 may have a contact layer on the principal surface opposite to the interface with respect to the electron blocking layer 14 .

The light-emitting functional layer 13 has first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B. The first light-emitting layer 13 A is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 , and the second light-emitting layer 13 B is formed on the side of the p-type semiconductor layer 15 (on the first light-emitting layer 13 A in this embodiment) with respect to the first light-emitting layer 13 A. The electron blocking layer 14 is formed on the second light-emitting layer 13 B. Each of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B has a quantum well (QW) structure.

The first light-emitting layer 13 A has a base layer (hereinafter referred to as “first base layer”) BL 1 that has a different composition from that of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 . The first base layer BL 1 has a groove (hereinafter referred to as “first groove”) GR 1 formed to have a random net shape due to stress strain from the n-type semiconductor layer 12 . In other words, the first groove GR 1 has a mesh shape formed by a plurality of combined grooves created by stress (strain) generated in the first base layer BL 1 due to the composition difference between the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the first base layer BL 1 . The stress strain generated in the first base layer BL 1 is strain of the crystal structure of the first base layer BL 1 caused by the lattice constant difference between the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the first base layer BL 1 .

The first light-emitting layer 13 A has a quantum well structure layer (hereinafter referred to as “first quantum well structure layer”) composed of a first quantum well layer WA formed on the first base layer BL 1 and a first barrier layer BA. The first quantum well layer WA is formed on the first base layer BL 1 , and the first barrier layer BA is formed on the first quantum well layer WA. The first base layer BL 1 functions as a barrier layer for the first quantum well layer WA. The first quantum well layer WA is formed as a strained quantum well layer.

A description will now be given of the first base layer BL 1 with reference to FIG. 1( b ) . FIG. 1( b ) is a diagram schematically illustrating the upper surface of the first base layer BL 1 . The first base layer BL 1 is partitioned by the first groove GR 1 and has many fine base segments (hereinafter referred to as “first base segment”) BS formed to have random sizes. Each of the first base segments BS 1 is partitioned in a random net shape since the first base layer BL 1 has a composition subject to stress strain from the n-type semiconductor layer 12 .

The first groove GR 1 is composed of groove portions with random and different lengths and shapes. The first groove GR 1 is formed in a net (mesh) shape all over the surface of the first base layer BL 1 . Each of the first base segments BS 1 is a portion (segment) that is randomly partitioned and formed by the first groove GR 1 within the first base layer BL 1 . Furthermore, the upper surface of each of the first base segments BS 1 has various shapes, such as a substantially round shape, a substantially oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

The first groove GR 1 has, for example, a V-shaped cross section ( FIG. 1( a ) ). Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1( b ) , the first groove GR 1 has a line-like bottom portion BP 1 . In this embodiment, an end portion of each of the first base segments BS 1 is the bottom portion BP 1 of the first groove GR 1 . Each of the first base segments BS 1 adjoins another first base segment BS 1 at the bottom portion BP 1 .

Further, the first base layer BL 1 has a flat portion (hereinafter referred to as “first flat portion”) FL 1 , which corresponds to each of the first base segments BS 1 . The surface of the first base layer BL 1 is composed of the first flat portion FL 1 and the inner wall surface of the first groove GR 1 . Each of the first flat portions FL 1 is partitioned by the first groove GR 1 for each first base segment BS 1 . The first base segment BS 1 has an upper surface composed of the first flat portion FL 1 and side surfaces composed of the inner wall surfaces of the first groove GR 1 .

In other words, the first flat portion FL 1 constitutes the upper surface of each of the first base segments BS 1 , and the inner wall surface of the first groove GR 1 constitutes the side surface of the first base segment BS 1 . Each of the first base segments BS 1 thus has an inclined side surface and has a cross section with, for example, a substantially trapezoidal shape.

The first quantum well layer WA is formed to inherit (retain) the shape of the first groove GR 1 on its surface. Also the first quantum well layer WA has a groove (hereinafter referred to as “second groove”) GR 2 that has the same mesh shape as that of the first groove GR. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1( a ) , the first quantum well layer WA retains the segment shape of the first base segment BS 1 and is formed on the first base layer BL 1 . Accordingly, the first quantum well layer WA has the second groove GR 2 at a location corresponding to each groove portion of the first groove GR 1 of the first base layer BL 1 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1( a ) , the first light-emitting layer 13 A has a first barrier layer BA that has a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as “first flat surface”) FS 1 which is flattened by embedding the first base layer BL 1 and the first quantum well layer WA. In other words, at the interface (bottom surface) with the first quantum well layer WA, the first barrier layer BA has an uneven shape corresponding to the second groove GR 2 . On the upper surface, the first barrier layer BA has a flat shape. Therefore, the surface of the first light-emitting layer 13 A is formed as the flat surface FS 1 .

The second light-emitting layer 13 B has a base layer (hereinafter, referred to as “second base layer”) BL 2 whose composition differs from that of the first barrier layer BA. The second base layer BL 2 has a groove (hereinafter referred to as “third groove”) GR 3 formed to have a random net shape due to stress strain from the first barrier layer BA. In other words, the third groove GR 3 has a mesh shape formed by a plurality of combined grooves created by stress (strain) which is generated on the second base layer BL 2 due to the composition difference between the first barrier layer BA and the second base layer BL 2 .

The second light-emitting layer 13 B has a quantum well structure layer (hereinafter referred to as “second quantum well structure layer”) composed of the second quantum well layer WB formed on the second base layer BL 2 and the second barrier layer BB. The second quantum well layer WB is formed on the second base layer BL 2 , and the second barrier layer BB is formed on the second quantum well layer WB. The second base layer BL 2 serves as a barrier layer for the second quantum well layer WB. The second quantum well layer WB is formed as a strained quantum well layer.

The second base layer BL 2 is partitioned by the third groove GR 3 and has many fine base segments (hereinafter, referred to as “second base segments”) BS 2 formed to have random sizes. Each of the second base segments BS 2 is partitioned into a random net shape since the second base layer BL 2 has a composition subject to stress strain from the first barrier layer BA.

Each of the second base segments BS 2 is a portion (segment) that is randomly partitioned and formed by the third groove GR 3 within the second base layer BL 2 . Furthermore, the upper surface of each of the second base segments BS 2 may have a various shape, such as a substantially round shape, a substantially oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

As illustrated in FIG. 1( a ) , the third groove GR 3 is, for example, V-shaped and has a line-like bottom portion BP 2 . In this embodiment, an end portion of each of the second base segments BS 2 is the bottom portion BP 2 of the third groove GR 3 . Each of the second base segments BS 2 adjoins another second base segment BS 2 at the bottom portion BP 2 .

Also, the second base layer BL 2 has a flat portion (hereinafter referred to as “second flat portion”) FL 2 corresponding to each of the second base segments BS 2 . The surface of the second base layer BL 2 is composed of the second flat portion FL 2 and the inner wall surface of the third groove GR 3 . Each of the second flat portion FL 2 is partitioned by the third groove GR 3 for each second base segment BS 2 . The second base segment BS 2 has an upper surface composed of the second flat portion FL 2 and a side surface composed of the inner wall surface of the third groove GR 3 .

The second quantum well layer WB is formed to inherit (retain) the shape of the third groove GR 3 on its surface. Also, the second quantum well layer WB has a groove (hereinafter referred to as “fourth groove”) GR 4 that has the same mesh shape as that of the third groove GR 3 . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1( a ) , the second quantum well layer WB is formed on the second base layer BL 2 with the segment shape of the second base segment BS 2 unchanged. Accordingly, the second quantum well layer WB has the fourth groove GR 4 at a location corresponding to each groove portion of the third groove GR 3 of the second base layer BL 2 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1( a ) , the second light-emitting layer 13 B has the second barrier layer BB that has a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as “second flat surface”) FS 2 flattened by embedding the second base layer BL 2 and the second quantum well layer WB. More specifically, the second barrier layer BB has an uneven shape corresponding to the fourth groove GR 4 at the interface (lower surface) with the second quantum well layer WB. On the upper surface, the second barrier layer BB has a flat shape. Accordingly, the surface of the second light-emitting layer 13 A is formed as the flat surface FS 2 .

The third groove GR 3 of the second base layer BL 2 is formed at a location that is unrelated to the first groove GR 1 of the first base layer BL 1 . The second bottom portion BP 2 of the third groove GR 3 is formed at a location that is unrelated to the first bottom portion BP 1 . Thus, the second base segment BS 2 is formed at a location and have a size that is unrelated to the first base segment BS 1 . Thus, the fourth groove GR 4 is formed at a location and has a size and a shape that are unrelated to the second groove GR 2 .

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the light-emitting functional layer 13 . FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of FIG. 1( a ) surrounded by the dashed line. With reference to FIG. 2 , a description will be given in detail of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B of the light-emitting functional layer 13 . In the first light-emitting layer 13 A, the first base layer BL 1 has a composition of Al x Ga 1-x N (0<x≤1). The first quantum well layer WA has a composition of In z1 Ga 1-z1 N (0<z1≤1).

The first barrier layer BA has a first sub-barrier layer BA 1 and a second sub-barrier layer BA 2 . In other words, the first barrier layer BA is of a double-layer structure. The second sub-barrier layer BA 2 is formed to be closer to the p-type semiconductor layer 15 than the first sub-barrier layer BA 1 is. More specifically, the first sub-barrier layer BA 1 is formed on the first quantum well layer WA, and the second sub-barrier layer BA 2 is formed on the first sub-barrier layer BA 1 . The second light-emitting layer 13 B (second base layer BL 2 ) is formed on the second sub-barrier layer BA 2 .

The first sub-barrier layer BA 1 has a composition of In z2 Ga 1-z2 N (0<z2≤1). The second sub-barrier layer BA 2 has the same composition as those of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 and has a GaN composition in this embodiment. The In composition z2 of the first barrier layer BA 1 is smaller than the In composition z1 of the first quantum well layer WA.

In the second light-emitting layer 13 B, the second base layer BL 2 has a composition of Al y Ga 1-y N (0<y≤1). The second quantum well layer WB has a composition of In z3 Ga 1-z3 N (0<z3≤1).

The second barrier layer BB has a third sub-barrier layer BB 1 and a fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 . In other words, the second barrier layer BB is of a double-layer structure. The fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 is located closer to the p-type semiconductor layer 15 than the third sub-barrier layer BB 1 is. More specifically, the third sub-barrier layer BB 1 is formed on the second quantum well layer WB, and the fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 is formed on the third sub-barrier layer BB 1 . The electron blocking layer 14 is formed on the fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 .

The third sub-barrier layer BB 1 has a composition of In z4 Ga 1-z4 N (0<z4≤1). The fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 has the same composition as those of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 and has a composition of GaN in this embodiment. The In composition z4 of the fourth sub-barrier layer BB 2 is smaller than the In composition z3 of the second quantum well layer WB.

The layer thicknesses of the first base layer BL 1 and the second base layer BL 2 are different from each other. In this embodiment, the second base layer BL 2 has a layer thickness T 2 , which is smaller than the layer thickness of the first base layer BL 1 . Specifically, the layer thickness T 2 of the second base layer BL 1 is smaller than the layer thickness T 1 of the first base layer BL 1 .

In addition, the Al compositions of the first base layer BL 1 and the second base layer BL 2 are different from each other. More specifically, the Al composition x of the first base layer BL 1 differs from the Al composition y of the second base layer BL 2 . In this embodiment, the Al composition y of the second base layer BL 2 is greater than the Al composition x of the first base layer BL 1 . As the Al compositions x and y increase, the number, depth, and size of their groove portions increase, and the average size of the formed base segments decreases. In this embodiment, the average size of the base segment thus differs between the first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 . The first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 function as barrier layers for the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB, respectively.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B. In the first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 , the first and second base segments BS 1 and BS 2 can be formed by growing an AlGaN layer with a relatively large Al composition at a comparatively low temperature on a GaN layer as the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the second barrier layer BA. Since the first and second base segments BS 1 and BS 2 are formed in the same mechanism, a description will be hereinafter made for the first base segment BS 1 .

First, when a first base layer BL 1 different from the n-type semiconductor layer 12 in terms of crystal composition is grown on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 , stress (strain) is generated in the first base layer BL 1 . For example, the first base layer BL 1 has a smaller lattice constant than that of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 . For example, when an AlGaN layer serving as the first base layer BL 1 is formed on a GaN layer serving as the n-type semiconductor layer 12 , tensile strain is generated in the AlGaN layer due to the GaN layer. Thus, tensile stress is generated in the AlGaN layer during its growth. When the AlGaN layer is grown on the GaN layer, a groove is formed in the AlGaN layer at the beginning of or during its growth, and the AlGaN layer grows in a three-dimensional manner. Accordingly, the AlGaN layer is grown in a stereoscopic manner, and a plurality of fine protrusions and recesses are formed. The starting point of formation of this groove is the first bottom portion BP 1 of the first groove GR 1 .

When the AlGaN layer is grown on the GaN layer at a low temperature, three-dimensional growth of the AlGaN layer is promoted. Thus, a large number of groove portions are formed (the first groove GR 1 is formed) on the surface of the AlGaN layer while being combined with each other, whereby the surface of the AlGaN layer is partitioned into a plurality of segments. The first base layer BL 1 with the first base segments BS 1 can thus be formed. In this embodiment, the AlGaN layer is formed as the first base layer BL 1 at a growth temperature of 1100° C.

When an InGaN layer serving as the first quantum well layer WA is formed on the first base layer BL 1 , the first quantum well layer WA is formed as a strained quantum well layer. Further, a certain distribution of the In content is generated within the first quantum well layer WA. In other words, the first quantum well layer WA is formed such that, for example, the region on the first flat portion FL 1 differs from the region on the first groove GR 1 in terms of In composition. The layer thickness of the first quantum well layer WA on the upper surface of the first base segment BS 1 is different from that on the side surface of the first base segment BS 1 . Thus, the band gap is not constant within the layer of the first quantum well layer WA.

The first quantum well layer WA with island-shaped fine protrusions and recesses thus formed emits light at various wavelengths due to the random shapes and band gap structure thereof. The segment shape ends at the first barrier layer BA. On the first barrier layer BA, the second base layer BL 2 is formed to be unrelated to the first base layer BL 1 .

For example, the second base layer BL 2 has a smaller lattice constant than that of the first barrier layer BA. Accordingly, tensile strain is exerted on the second base layer BL 2 by the first barrier layer BA. In this embodiment, the second base layer BL 2 is formed such that the Al composition y and the layer thickness T 2 differ from those of the first base layer BL 1 . The average size (area) of the second base segment BS 2 within the plane of the second base layer BL 2 is different from that of the first base segment BS 1 within the surface of the first base layer BL 1 . The in-layer In distribution differs between the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB, and the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB emit light in different wavelength regions.

In other words, by stacking a plurality of light-emitting layers (first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B) that have a barrier layer with a flattened upper surface as in the case of this embodiment, a light-emitting layer with an arbitrary light-emitting wavelength can be readily formed.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B emits light whose intensity peaks in a region on the longer wavelength side with reference to the blue region. Also, the first light-emitting layer 13 A emits light whose peak is on the shorter wavelength side with respect to the second light-emitting layer 13 B. As the first light-emitting layer 13 A has fine island-shaped protrusions and recesses, it emits various colors of light. Specifically, as the size of the base segment decreases, the amount of In introduced into the quantum well layer increases, and the light-emitting wavelength shifts toward the longer wavelength side.

In this embodiment, the first base layer BL 1 has the first flat portion FL 1 , and the surface of the first light-emitting layer 13 A has the flat surface FS 1 . Since the second light-emitting layer 13 B is formed on the first flat surface FS 1 , a preferable level of crystallinity is ensured at the interface between first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B.

As the first barrier layer BB has a double-layer structure composed of the first and second sub-barrier layers BA 1 and BA 2 , the second groove GR 2 of the first quantum well layer WA can be readily embedded, and the first flat surface FS 1 is stably formed. Specifically, between an InGaN layer serving as the first quantum well layer WA and a GaN layer serving as the second sub-barrier layer BA 2 , the first sub-barrier layer BA 1 (InGaN layer with a smaller In composition than that of the first quantum well layer WA) whose lattice constant is between those of the aforementioned InGaN and GaN layers is interposed. As a result, the groove is surely embedded, and the shape of the flat surface FS 1 is stably formed.

If the second groove GR 2 is flattened, the first barrier layer BA may be composed of a GaN layer only. In other words, the first sub-barrier layer BA 1 does not need to be formed. For example, the first flat surface FS 1 can be formed by forming a GaN layer so that its layer thickness is relatively large. The foregoing applies to the second barrier layer BB as well. The flat surfaces FS 1 and FS 2 need to be formed by completely embedding a groove in the upper surfaces of the first and second barrier layers BA and BB. Specifically, in an example case where the first and second barrier layers BA and BB constitute a double-layer structure, the surface of the sub-barrier layer closest to the p-type semiconductor layer 15 needs to be formed as a flat surface. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , in the surfaces of the first and third sub-barrier layers BA 1 and BB 1 , grooves corresponding to the second and fourth grooves GR 2 and GR 2 may be formed (or retained), respectively.

The case of forming the surface of the second light-emitting layer 13 B as a flat surface (second flat surface FS 2 ) has been illustrated in this embodiment. However, this embodiment is not limited to the case where the surface of the second light-emitting layer 13 B is formed as a flat surface. The surface of the second light-emitting layer 13 B may have a groove corresponding to the fourth groove GR 4 . Taking into consideration the crystallinity on the interface between the second light-emitting layer 13 B and the electron blocking layer 14 , it is desired that the second light-emitting layer 13 B have a flattened upper surface.

In this embodiment, the case where the surfaces of the first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 and the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB are composed of a flat portion and a groove has been illustrated. However, the shapes of these surfaces are not limited to the aforementioned case. For example, the first base layer BL 1 may have a curved surface portion on the upper surface of the first base segment BS 1 .

The In composition z1 and In composition z3 of the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB may be either identical or different. Specifically, as described above, the average size of each base segment can be varied by changing the layer thicknesses and Al compositions of the first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 , whereby the light-emitting wavelength regions of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B can be adjusted. In addition, the In compositions of the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB can be adjusted to adjust their respective light-emitting wavelengths. In this embodiment, the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB are configured so that the In composition z1 and In composition z3 are identical.

As the sizes of the base segments BS 1 and BS 2 decrease, the amount of In introduced into the quantum well layers WA and WB increases, and the light-emitting wavelength shifts toward the longer wavelength side. Specifically, when an InGaN layer as the quantum well layer WA is formed on an AlGaN layer serving as the base layer BL 1 , the AlGaN layer exerts compressive stress (compressive strain) on the InGaN layer. When the InGaN layer is subject to compressive strain, In is readily introduced into the first quantum well layer WA. It is considered that the band gap of the InGaN layer, i.e., the energy between quantum levels, thereby decreases. Therefore, as the segment shapes of the base layers BL 1 and BL 2 decrease, the first quantum well layer WA emits light containing more components whose wavelengths are on the longer wavelength side.

Also, the present inventors examined formation of not a light-emitting layer like the first or second light-emitting layer 13 A or 13 B, but of a multiple quantum well structure having a plurality of quantum well layers which have one flat surface and in which the In composition is changed differently from one another. However, the range of the In composition that can be formed is limited. In the case of a light-emitting element having a light-emitting layer of a multiple quantum well structure with In compositions changed, the spectrum with a wavelength band as wide as that of the light-emitting element 10 of this embodiment was not possible. Specifically, light with a constant wavelength and a certain level of intensity in a wide range was not acquired.

Accordingly, light with high color rendering properties could not be acquired by simply increasing the In composition. When a quantum well layer with an excessively large In composition was formed to change the In composition in a wide range, segregation of In was noticeable, and In precipitated and blackened. Also, a portion that does not function as a light-emitting layer was formed. Thus, it can be said that there is a limit in the effort to simultaneously achieve a wider light-emitting spectrum and a higher light-emitting intensity based on the In composition.

In another example consideration, the present inventors manufactured a light-emitting element by laminating light-emitting layers that are formed of different materials and have different band gaps. Simply laminating light-emitting layers of different types of materials only produced light whose peak wavelength corresponds to the band gap, and the spectral intensity between the peaks was small. Acquisition of white light was difficult as colors were mixed in an unbalanced and unstable manner. A step of forming light-emitting layers containing different types of materials was added, and the resulting product did not have a preferable level of crystallinity. In this embodiment, on the other hand, by forming a light-emitting functional layer 13 having a first quantum well layer WA of a microstructure, light that has a light-emitting wavelength band (or half-width) in a wide range of the visible region was readily and certainly achieved.

As one example embodiment, the present inventors formed the light-emitting functional layer 13 with the following layer thicknesses: The first base layer BL 1 has a layer thickness of 8 nm. The first quantum well layer WA has a layer thickness of 5.5 nm. The size (area) of the base segment BS in the in-plane direction ranges from several hundreds nm 2 to several μm 2 .

In this embodiment, 4 μm of an n-GaN layer was formed as the n-type semiconductor layer 12 at a growth temperature of 1225° C. The first and second quantum well layers WA and WB were formed at a growth temperature of 845° C. Also, an AlGaN layer serving as the electron blocking layer 14 was formed at a growth temperature of 1000° C., and a p-GaN layer serving as the p-type semiconductor layer 15 was formed at a growth temperature of 1100° C.

In this embodiment, the case where each of the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB has a quantum well structure has been illustrated. However, each of the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB may be a single quantum well layer or may be of a multiple quantum well structure composed of a plurality of quantum well layers and barrier layers. In other words, each of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B (first and second quantum well structure layers) may be of a single quantum well (SQW) structure or a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure. When the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B are of a multiple quantum well structure, the barrier layer located closest to the p-type semiconductor layer 15 needs to have a flat surface.

Modified Example

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a semiconductor light-emitting element 30 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Except for the structure of the light-emitting functional layer 33 , the configuration of the light-emitting element 30 is the same as that of the light-emitting element 10 . Between the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the first light-emitting layer 13 A of the light-emitting element 10 , the light-emitting functional layer 33 of the light-emitting element 30 has a third light-emitting layer 33 A. The third light-emitting layer 33 A is of a quantum well structure composed of at least one third quantum well layer WC and a plurality of third barrier layers WC.

According to this modified example, in the structure of the third light-emitting layer 33 A, two third quantum well layers WC and three third barrier layers BC are alternately laminated on the n-type semiconductor layer 13 . On the third barrier layer BC, which is located closest to the p-type semiconductor layer 15 , the first light-emitting layer 13 A (first base layer BL 1 ) is formed. Each of the third quantum well layers WC is a uniformly flat layer that has an identical composition to, for example, the composition of one of the first and second quantum well layers WA and WB, e.g., an InGaN composition. Each of the third barrier layers BC has the same composition as those of the first and second barrier layers BA and BB, e.g., a GaN layer or a double-layer structure containing InGaN and GaN layers. The third barrier layer BC located closest to the first light-emitting layer 13 A of the third barrier layers BC has the same composition as that of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 .

In the configuration of this modified example, the third light-emitting layer 33 A of a quantum well structure is added to the side of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 of the light-emitting functional layer 13 of the light-emitting element 10 according to the first embodiment. Compared with the first embodiment, additional light with a light-emitting wavelength peak in a pure blue region can be emitted. The configuration according to this modified example is advantageous for, for example, increasing the light intensity in the blue region.

In this modified example, the case of forming the third light-emitting layer 33 A between the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the first light-emitting layer 13 A has been illustrated. However, the location where the third light-emitting layer 33 A is formed is not limited to the aforementioned case. For example, the third light-emitting layer 33 A may be formed on the second light-emitting layer 13 B, i.e., between the second light-emitting layer 13 B and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 . Also, the third light-emitting layer 33 A may be formed between the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B.

FIG. 4 illustrates the spectral characteristics of light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 . In the drawing, the horizontal axis represents the wavelength, and the vertical axis represents the light-emitting intensity. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 has three peaks and has a high intensity substantially over the entire visible region. Of the three peaks, a peak P 1 at approximately 450 nm, which is located closest to the short wavelength side, is produced by light emitted from the third light-emitting layer 33 A. Likewise, a peak P 2 at approximately 500 nm and a peak P 3 at approximately 570 nm are produced by light emitted from the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B, respectively. When the third light-emitting layer 33 A is not provided, i.e., when the light-emitting element 10 is used, spectral characteristics identical to that of the light-emitting element 30 is achieved except for absence of the peak P 1 .

In this embodiment, the case of laminating two light-emitting layers with an island-shaped base segment has been illustrated. However, three or more light-emitting layers with the same configurations as those of the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B may be laminated. In other words, the light-emitting functional layers 13 and 33 A need to have a structure in which at least the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B are stacked.

The case of forming the electron blocking layer 14 between the light-emitting functional layer 13 (or 33 ) and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 has been illustrated in this embodiment. However, this embodiment is not limited to the case of providing the electron blocking layer 14 . For example, the p-type semiconductor layer 15 may be formed on the light-emitting functional layer 13 . Note that the electron blocking layer 14 has a larger band gap than those of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 , the light-emitting functional layer 13 , and the p-type semiconductor layer 15 . Accordingly, electrons can be prevented from overflowing to the side of the p-type semiconductor layer 15 through the light-emitting functional layer 13 . Therefore, it is preferable to provide the electron blocking layer 14 for large-current driving and high-temperature operation.

As described above, the first base segment BS 1 of the first light-emitting layer 13 A and the second base segment BS 2 of the second light-emitting layer 13 B are randomly formed so that they are unrelated to each other. Therefore, the respective light emission ranges are different from one another and the respective emitted light therefrom are overlapped to yield a light emission having a wide range. The first base layer BL 1 and the second base layer BL 2 are made so as to differentiate the average sizes of their segments, whereby light emitted from the first light-emitting layer 13 A and light from the second light-emitting layer 13 B can be differentiated (wavelength bands can be differentiated). By configuring the first and second base layers BL 1 and BL 2 so that their layer thicknesses are different, the spectral widths of light emitted from the first light-emitting layer 13 A and light emitted from the second light-emitting layer 13 B differ from each other.

According to the embodiment and the modified example thereof, in the structure of the light-emitting functional layer 13 , a plurality of light-emitting layers, including the first and second light-emitting layers 13 A and 13 B, are laminated. The first light-emitting layer 13 A has: the first base layer BL 1 that has a composition subject to stress strain from the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and has a plurality of first base segments BS 1 partitioned into a random net shape; the first quantum well layer WA that retains the segment shape of the first base segment BS 1 and is formed on the first base layer BL 1 ; and the first barrier layer BA that has the flat surface FS 1 flattened by embedding the first base layer BL 1 and the first quantum well layer WA.

The second light-emitting layer 13 B has: the second base layer BL 2 that has a composition subject to stress strain from the first barrier layer BA and has a plurality of second base segments BS 2 partitioned into a random net shape; the second quantum well layer WB that retains the segment shape of the second base segment BS 2 and is formed on the second base layer BL 2 ; and the second barrier layer BB formed on the second quantum well layer WB. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a light-emitting element that can emit light with a high light-emitting intensity over a wide range of the visible region.

In this embodiment, the case where the first conductivity type is an n-conductivity type and the second conductivity type is a p-conductivity type, which is opposite to the n-conductivity type. However, the first conductivity type may be a p-type, and the second conductivity type may be an n-type.

10 , 30 semiconductor light-emitting element

12 n-type semiconductor layer (first semiconductor layer)

13 , 33 light-emitting functional layer

13 A first light-emitting layer

13 B second light-emitting layer

33 A third light-emitting layer

14 electron blocking layer

15 p-type semiconductor layer (second semiconductor layer)

BL 1 first base layer

BS 1 first base segment

BL 2 second base layer

BS 2 second base segment

GR 1 to GR 4 first to fourth grooves

FS 1 first flat surface

FS 2 second flat surface