U.S. patent application number 14/466993 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for high performance light emitting diode with vias.
The applicant listed for this patent is Invensas Corporation. Invention is credited to Ilyas Mohammed, Liang Wang.
Application Number | 20150295151 14/466993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49913175 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150295151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mohammed; Ilyas ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
HIGH PERFORMANCE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE WITH VIAS
Abstract
High performance light emitting diode with vias. In accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention, an article of
manufacture includes a light emitting diode. The light emitting
diode includes a plurality of filled vias configured to connect a
doped region on one side of the light emitting diode to a plurality
of contacts on the other side of the light emitting diode. The
filled vias may comprise less that 10% of a surface area of the
light emitting diode.
Inventors: |
Mohammed; Ilyas; (Santa
Clara, CA) ; Wang; Liang; (Milpitas, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Invensas Corporation |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49913175 |
Appl. No.: |
14/466993 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13732275 |
Dec 31, 2012 |
8816383 |
|
|
14466993 |
|
|
|
|
13543697 |
Jul 6, 2012 |
8664681 |
|
|
13732275 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
257/13 ;
257/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 33/647 20130101;
H01L 33/60 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 2933/0066
20130101; H01L 33/06 20130101; H01L 33/62 20130101; H01L 2924/0002
20130101; H01L 33/502 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101; H01L 33/58
20130101; H01L 33/42 20130101; H01L 33/382 20130101; H01L 33/644
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 33/62 20060101
H01L033/62; H01L 33/50 20060101 H01L033/50; H01L 33/64 20060101
H01L033/64; H01L 33/06 20060101 H01L033/06; H01L 33/42 20060101
H01L033/42; H01L 33/58 20060101 H01L033/58 |
Claims
1. An article of manufacture comprising: a light emitting diode
comprising a plurality of filled vias configured to connect a doped
region on one side of said diode to a plurality of contacts on the
other side of said diode.
2. The article of manufacture of claim 1 wherein said vias comprise
less than 10% of a surface area of said light emitting diode.
3. The article of manufacture of claim 1 wherein a distance between
any two vias in less than 200 gm.
4. The article of manufacture of claim 1 further comprising a
transparent conductor on said one side of said diode, and wherein
said plurality of filled vias are electrically coupled to said
transparent conductor.
5. The article of manufacture of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of conductive traces on said one side of said diode, and
wherein said plurality of filled vias are electrically coupled to
said conductive traces.
6. The article of manufacture of claim 1 further comprising: a
phosphor layer and an optical element bonded to said one side of
said diode.
7. The article of manufacture of claim 1 further comprising: a
carrier wafer bonded to said plurality of filled vias.
8. The article of manufacture of claim 7 wherein said carrier wafer
comprises at least one material of the set of silicon, ceramic,
glass, tungsten, molybdenum, invar, aluminum, nickel, steel, brass
and copper.
9. The article of manufacture of claim 7 wherein said carrier wafer
comprises a printed circuit board laminate.
10. The article of manufacture of claim 7 wherein said carrier
wafer is characterized as having a thermal conductivity greater
than 10 W/mK.
11. The article of manufacture of claim 7 wherein said carrier
wafer is further coupled to a heat sink device.
12. The article of manufacture of claim 5 wherein said conductive
traces are placed laterally on top of the surface of said carrier
wafer and are configured to make electrical contact with external
circuitry.
13. The article of manufacture of claim 5 wherein said conductive
traces are placed laterally on top of the surface of said carrier
wafer and are configured to make electrical contact with external
circuitry, while a second electrode is configured to make
electrical contact with external circuitry through the thickness of
said carrier wafer.
14. The article of manufacture of claim 7 wherein both electrodes
or said light emitting diode connect to external circuitry through
the thickness of said carrier wafer.
15. The article of manufacture of claim 1 wherein a substrate
utilized for growing said light emitting diode is absent.
16. The article of manufacture of claim 1 further comprising
electronics to convert a source of alternating current to direct
current for use by said light emitting diode; and a base to couple
said electronics to said source of alternating current.
17. A light emitting diode apparatus comprising: an n-doped
semiconductor region; a multiple quantum well (MQW) region disposed
on said n-doped semiconductor region; a p-doped semiconductor
region disposed on said MQW region; a plurality of filled vias
through said p-doped semiconductor region and through said MQW
region, contacting said n-doped semiconductor region, and wherein
both terminals of said light emitting diode apparatus are on the
same side of said light emitting diode apparatus as said p-doped
semiconductor region.
18. The light emitting diode apparatus of claim 17 wherein a
surface of said n-doped semiconductor region away from said MQW
region is free of electrical contacts.
19. An apparatus comprising: a light emitting diode comprising: an
n-doped semiconductor region; a multiple quantum well (MQW) region
disposed on said n-doped semiconductor region; a p-doped
semiconductor region disposed on said MQW region; a plurality of
filled vias through said p-doped semiconductor region and through
said MQW region, contacting said n-doped semiconductor region; a
carrier substrate; a conductive pattern supported by said carrier
substrate; and metal for electrically coupling said plurality of
filled vias to said conductive pattern.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said carrier substrate is
configured to couple thermal energy away from said light emitting
diode
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/543,697 filed Jul. 6, 2012.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of
integrated circuit design and manufacture. More specifically,
embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods
for high performance light emitting diodes with vias.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are gaining wide acceptance in
a variety of area-illumination applications, for example,
architectural lighting, residential illumination, industrial
lighting, outdoor lighting, theatrical lighting and the like.
[0004] Conventional light emitting diodes typically have electrical
contacts facing in the same direction, e.g., away from a substrate.
Some types of LEDs may have electrical contacts at two different
levels, e.g., in a "stair step" arrangement. However, the
electrical contacts are still typically facing in the same
direction.
[0005] Unfortunately, such contacts and associated structures tend
to block some light output from an LED. In addition, such contact
structures present a rather poor path for conducting thermal heat
away from an LED. Further, convention contact structures generally
result in an uneven electrical field distribution within the LED,
leading to a further decrease in power efficiency and light
output.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, what is needed are systems and methods for high
performance light emitting diodes with vias. What is additionally
needed are systems and methods for high performance light emitting
diodes with vias that enable wafer level packaging, improved
thermal conduction and electrical field distribution, and further
enable electrical contacts on opposite sides. A further need exists
for systems and methods for high performance light emitting diodes
with vias that are compatible and complementary with existing
systems and methods of integrated circuit design, manufacturing and
test. Embodiments of the present invention provide these
advantages.
[0007] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, an article of manufacture includes a light emitting
diode. The light emitting diode includes a plurality of filled vias
configured to connect a doped region on one side of the light
emitting diode to a plurality of contacts on the other side of the
light emitting diode. The filled vias may comprise less that 10% of
a surface area of the light emitting diode.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a light emitting diode apparatus includes an n-doped
semiconductor region, a multiple quantum well (MQW) region disposed
on said n-doped semiconductor region and a p-doped semiconductor
region disposed on said MQW region. The apparatus also includes a
plurality of filled vias through said p-doped semiconductor region
and through said MQW region, contacting said n-doped semiconductor
region. Both terminals of said light emitting diode apparatus are
on the same side of said light emitting diode apparatus as said
p-doped semiconductor region.
[0009] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, an apparatus includes a light emitting diode. The light
emitting diode includes an n-doped semiconductor region, a multiple
quantum well (MQW) region disposed on said n-doped semiconductor
region and a p-doped semiconductor region disposed on said MQW
region. In addition, the apparatus includes a plurality of filled
vias through said p-doped semiconductor region and through said MQW
region, contacting said n-doped semiconductor region and a carrier
substrate. The apparatus further includes a conductive pattern
supported by said carrier substrate and metal for electrically
coupling said plurality of filled vias to said conductive pattern.
The carrier substrate may be configured to couple thermal energy
away from said light emitting diode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The detailed description is described with reference to
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the
drawings to reference like features and components.
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias 101, in accordance with additional embodiments of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias 102, in accordance with further embodiments of the
present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G illustrate an exemplary
process for forming a light emitting diode sub-assembly, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E illustrate an exemplary process
for forming a carrier wafer sub-assembly, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 3F, 3G and 3H illustrate an exemplary alternative
process for forming a carrier wafer sub-assembly, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3I illustrates an alternative embodiment of a carrier
wafer subassembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 3J illustrates an alternative embodiment of a carrier
wafer subassembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate an exemplary process for
joining a light emitting diode sub-assembly to a carrier wafer
sub-assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a high
efficiency light emitting diode (LED) with vias, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an application of a high
efficiency light emitting diode with vias, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the invention, High Performance Light Emitting Diode with Vias,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with these
embodiments, it is understood that they are not intended to limit
the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention
is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following
detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill
in the art that the invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well known methods,
procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in
detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the
invention.
Notation and Nomenclature
[0023] Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow
(e.g., process 200, 300, 330, 340, 350, 400) are presented in terms
of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic
representations of operations on data bits that may be performed on
computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the
means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most
effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in
the art. A procedure, computer executed step, logic block, process,
etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent
sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The
steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical
quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take
the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a
computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for
reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values,
elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
[0024] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as "depositing"
or "processing" or "sputtering" or "coating" or "placing" or
"slicing" or "forming" or "mounting" or "applying" or "roughening"
or "filling" or "accessing" or "performing" or "generating" or
"adjusting" or "creating" or "executing" or "continuing" or
"indexing" or "computing" or "translating" or "calculating" or
"determining" or "measuring" or "gathering" or "running" or the
like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or
similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
within the computer system's registers and memories into other data
similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer
system memories or registers or other such information storage,
transmission or display devices.
[0025] As used herein, and by those of ordinary skill in the art,
the term "via" may be used to describe or refer to a hole or a
filled hole, generally used to electrically couple circuit elements
at different levels of a multi-level structure. In accordance with
embodiments of the present invention, vias may also have a "trench"
structure, e.g., a hole or filled hole in which the length is much
greater than the width. In general, herein, vias may be illustrated
as generally circular in vertical cross section. However, it is to
be understood that vias and/or filled vias may have any suitable
shape.
High Performance Light Emitting Diode with Vias
[0026] FIG. 1A illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias 100, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. Light emitting diode 100 comprises a substrate 110. The
substrate 110 may comprise any suitable material, including
silicon, glass, metals or alloys, ceramics, and the like. As will
be further described later, substrate 110 may not utilized in the
formation of semiconducting materials, and may be chosen, e.g., for
reasons of mechanical strength, thermal properties, electrical
properties, and the like.
[0027] Disposed on top of the substrate 110 are two layers of
insulation 112 and 116. Insulation 112 and 116 may comprise, for
example, silicon dioxide (Si02), silicon nitride (Si3N4),
benzo-cyclo-butene (BCB), spin-on glass, and the like. In between
layers 112 and 116 is a layer of patterned metal 115. Patterned
metal 115 routes electrical signals for the LED, as will be
described further below. Patterned metal 115 may comprise, for
example, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au) and the
like.
[0028] Light emitting diode 100 additionally comprises lower metal
120. Lower metal 120 contacts conductive portions of paternal metal
115. Lower metal 120 may comprise copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold
(Au), tin (Sn) and the like. The material chosen should be selected
to effective bonding to upper metal 130. Upper metal 130 is bonded
to lower metal 120. Upper metal 130 may comprise copper (Cu),
nickel (Ni), gold (Au), tin (Sn) and the like. The material chosen
should be selected to effective bonding to lower metal 120. Upper
metal 130 is in electrical contact with contact 155 and or via
140.
[0029] Filled vias 140 provides an electrical path from patterned
metal 115, through some instances of lower metal 120 and upper
metal 130, to the n-type semiconducting material, e.g., n-gallium
nitride (n-GaN), of the light emitting diode proper. Filled vias
140 may form an array of separated pillars, in some embodiments.
Filled vias 140 may from long trenches (in a direction parallel to
the MQW plan), in some embodiments. Filled vias 140 may from an
enclosed loop of thin side walls wrapping around the device, in
some embodiments. In addition, filled vias 140 may directly contact
optional layer 170 of a transparent conductive material, further
described below. Filled vias 140 may comprise, for example,
chrome/gold (Cr/Au), titanium/gold, titanium/aluminum/nickel/gold
(Ti/Al/Ni/Au) stacks, and the like.
[0030] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
vias 140 may also be described as a "trench" structure, e.g., a
filled hole in which the length, e.g., perpendicular to the plane
of FIG. 1A, of vias 140 is much greater than their width. In
general, herein, vias may be illustrated as generally circular in
vertical cross section. However, it is to be understood that vias
and/or filled vias may have any suitable shape.
[0031] Contact 155 provides electrical contact from some instances
of upper metal 130 to the p-type semiconducting material, e.g.,
p-gallium nitride (p-GaN), of the light emitting diode proper.
Contact 155 may comprise, for example, chrome/gold (Cr/Au),
nickel/gold (Ni/Au), nickel palladium/gold (Ni/Pd/Au) stacks, and
the like.
[0032] Light emitting diode 100 further comprises insulating
structures 150. Insulating structure 150 insulate the p-type
semiconducting material from filled vias 140 and from some upper
metal 130.
[0033] Light emitting diode 100 comprises a stack of active
materials 190 that emits light. For example, stack 190 may comprise
a p-type semiconducting material, e.g., p-gallium nitride (p-GaN),
multiple quantum wells (MQW) and n-type semiconducting material,
e.g., n-gallium nitride (n-GaN). The top surface 160, e.g., n-GaN,
of the active stack 190 may be roughened in order to improve light
extraction, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0034] Light emitting diode 100 comprise an optional layer 170 of a
transparent conductive material, e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO),
supported by a metal grid 145 (FIG. 1C). Optional layer 170 may
enhance current spreading. Light emitting diode 100 may further
optionally comprise a layer 180 forming a lens or encapsulant.
Layer 180 may be transparent, and may be designed to optically
enhance light emission and/or directionality, of light emitting
diode 100. Layer 180 may also comprise a phosphor layer, e.g., for
producing light responsive to receiving light energy from a light
emitting diode.
[0035] FIG. 1B illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias 101, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the filled vias 140 are
extended to contact layer 170 of a transparent conductive
material.
[0036] FIG. 1C illustrates a high performance light emitting diode
(LED) with vias 102, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1C, the layer 170 of a
transparent conductive material is supported by a metal grid 145.
Metal grid 145 may comprise any suitable materials, including the
exemplary materials previously describe for filled vias 140. In
addition, silver is a good choice for metal grid 145, due to its
excellent conductivity and semi-transparency at small thickness,
e.g. less than about 20 nm.
[0037] FIGS. 2A through 2G illustrate an exemplary process 200 for
forming a light emitting diode sub-assembly 201, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. Processes for formation of a
carrier wafer subassembly and joining of the light emitting diode
sub-assembly 201 with the carrier wafer sub-assembly will be
further described below.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a gallium nitride (GaN) multiple
quantum well (MQW) light emitting diode is formed on a sapphire
(a-Al203) substrate 292, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. The illustrated formation may be via any
suitable process and materials. For example, an n-type layer 294,
e.g., comprising n doped gallium nitride (n-GaN), is formed on
substrate 292. Substrate 292 may comprise a crystalline material
that is lattice-matched for gallium nitride, e.g., sapphire
(a-Al203) or silicon carbide (SiC). A five-period multiple quantum
well structure 296 comprising, for example, periods of a 2.5 nm
thick 85% gallium, 15% indium nitride layer alternating with a 11
nm thick GaN layer is formed on n-type layer 294. A p-type layer
298, e.g., comprising p-doped gallium nitride (p-GaN) is formed on
top of the MQW 296. As is typical, the diode structure is formed
continuously over substantially all of the substrate, although this
is not required. It is to be appreciated that embodiments in
accordance with the present invention are well suited to other
types of light emitting diodes comprising different materials.
[0039] FIG. 2B illustrates defining an area for continued
processing of light emitting devices on substrate 292, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
illustrated defining may be via any suitable process and materials.
For example, a portion of the semiconducting stack is etched away
via inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (RIE), or other
suitable process, defining a perimeter and forming an area of a
light emitting diode material. The LED stack may be about 5.215 .im
thick, in an embodiment. The etching should be deeper than the
stack, e.g., about 6 gm, to ensure complete removal of the
semiconducting materials and exposure of the substrate. Any
photoresist should be removed, as well.
[0040] FIG. 2C illustrates opening of vias 240, through p-layer 298
and MQW layer 296, to the n-type layer 294, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated opening may
be via any suitable process and materials. For example, a plurality
of via 240 is formed via inductively coupled plasma reactive ion
etching (RIE), or other suitable process. The etching to open the
vias should be to a lesser depth than the previous etching. For
example, the etching of vias 240 should terminate in n-type layer
294, and should not remove all of n-type layer 294. It is
appreciated that more than the illustrated one via 240 may be
formed in this manner. The vias may be on about 10 gm to about 200
gm centers, with a diameter of about 10 gm to about 200 gm, for
example. It is appreciated that vias 240 are well suited to
non-circular cross-section(s), in accordance embodiments of the
present invention.
[0041] FIG. 2D illustrates formation of metal contacts 255 to
p-type layer 298 and n-type layer 294 regions of the LED mesas, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
illustrated formation may be via any suitable process and
materials. For example, a negative tone mask of photoresist, e.g.,
of at least 10 gm in thickness, may be used to form a stack of 100
nm of chromium (Cr) and 300 nm of gold (Au), e.g., via sputtering
or electron beam ("e-beam") deposition. Any photoresist should be
subsequently removed, as well. Then the deposition may be followed
by annealing in an oxygen (02) atmosphere at about 550.degree. C.
for about five minutes.
[0042] FIG. 2E illustrates deposition of an insulator 250 over all
exposed surfaces, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. It is appreciated that contacts 255 are covered, as
well. The illustrated deposition may be via any suitable process
and materials. For example, 500 nm of silicon dioxide (Si02) may be
deposited by Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or
low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD).
[0043] FIG. 2F illustrates opening or uncovering of the contacts
255, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
illustrated removal of material may be via any suitable process and
materials. For example, photolithographic, wet and/or dry etching
processes may be used to selectively etch the insulator 250 from
the top surfaces of contacts 255.
[0044] FIG. 2G illustrates formation of upper metal bonding pads
230, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
illustrated forming may be via any suitable process and materials.
For example, a seed layer of about 100 nm of nickel (Ni) is
deposited. It is appreciated that a mask is not required. Next,
spin coating may be used to apply a negative tone mask of
photoresist, e.g., of at least 10 gm in thickness. Photolithography
is used to define the bonding pads. The upper metal bonding pads
230, comprising, for example, 2.75 gm of copper (Cu), 100 nm of
nickel (Ni) and 255 nm of gold (Au), may be electroplated. The seed
layer may be subsequently etched off by dipping in nitric acid
(HNO3). Accordingly, a first sub-assembly 201 is formed.
[0045] FIGS. 3A through 3E illustrate an exemplary process 300 for
forming a carrier wafer sub-assembly 301, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary processes for
joining of the light emitting diode sub-assembly 201 with the
carrier wafer sub-assembly 301 will be further described below.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a metal layer 315 is deposited on
an insulated substrate, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. The illustrated deposition may be via any
suitable process and materials. The insulated substrate may
comprise, for example, a stack of silicon (Si) 310 and an insulator
312, e.g., silicon dioxide (Si02). The silicon dioxide may be
thermally grown, in some embodiments. The stack of materials may
also comprise ceramic, glass, tungsten, molybdenum, invar,
aluminum, nickel, steel, brass and/or copper in some embodiments.
The substrate should have a high thermal conductivity. For example,
the substrate thermal conductivity should be greater than about 10
W/mK. The substrate 310 may be greater than about 100 gm thick and
insulator 312 may be about 500 nm thick, in some embodiments. A
conducting layer 315, e.g., about 1 ium thick, is deposited on top
of the insulating layer 312. Layer 315 should be suitable for
patterning, and may comprise, for example, aluminum (Al), copper
(Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au) and the like.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, portions of metal layer 315 are
etched to form a circuit pattern, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. The illustrated etching may be via any
suitable process and materials, including, for example,
photolithographic processes.
[0048] FIG. 3C illustrates deposition of an insulating layer 316
onto the top surface of patterned metal layer 315, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated
deposition may be via any suitable process and materials. For
example, insulating layer 316 may comprise silicon dioxide (Si02),
silicon nitride (Si3N4), benzo-cyclo-butene (BCB), spin-on glass,
ceramic tungsten and the like. Insulating layer 316 may be about
500 nm thick, in some embodiments.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 3D, vias are opened in insulating
layer 316, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
The illustrated opening may be via any suitable process and
materials. For example, after photolithography masking, the
insulating material may be selectively etched using wet and/or dry
etching.
[0050] FIG. 3E illustrates formation of lower metal bonding pads
320, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
illustrated forming may be via any suitable process and materials.
For example, a seed layer of about 100 nm of nickel (Ni) is
deposited. It is appreciated that a mask is not required. Next,
spin coating may be used to apply a negative tone mask of
photoresist, e.g., of at least 10 gm in thickness. Photolithography
is used to define the bonding pads. The lower metal bonding pads
320, comprising, for example, 8 gm of copper (Cu), 255 nm of nickel
(Ni), 20 gm of tin (Sn) and 10 nm of gold (Au), may be
electroplated. The seed layer may be subsequently etched off by
dipping in nitric acid (HNO3). Accordingly, a second sub-assembly
301 is formed.
[0051] FIGS. 3F through 3H illustrate an exemplary alternative
process 330 for forming a carrier wafer sub-assembly 302, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary
processes for joining of the light emitting diode sub-assembly 201
with the carrier wafer sub-assembly 302 will be further described
below.
[0052] In FIG. 3F, a substrate 310 is etched to form vias through
the entire thickness of the substrate wafer. Any suitable process
may be used, for example, deep reactive ion etching (RIE). Is
appreciated that the illustrated via holes are depicted in cross
section, and do not result in separate pieces of substrate. In FIG.
3G, the sidewall of the via holes is passivated with insulating
layer 336. Any suitable materials and processes may be utilized,
for example, the passivating material may be silicon dioxide
(Si02), deposited by either thermal growth, plasma-enhanced
chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or low-pressure chemical vapor
deposition (LPCVD) processes.
[0053] FIG. 3H illustrates filling of the vias, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. A metal seed layer, for
example, Ti/Cu, Ta/Cu, W/Cu and/or TiW/Cu, is blanket deposited,
followed by photolithography patterning to expose the
through-substrate-vias. Then an electroplating process is applied
to the wafer, in order to fill the through-substrate-vias 338 with
Cu and Sn (after the full thickness is filled up with Cu). Then the
seed layer out of the through-substrate-vias is removed by wet
etching, forming wafer subassembly 302.
[0054] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
substrate wafer 310 can also be etched deeply, leaving a thin layer
of substrate material remaining, and this thin layer can be finally
polished off after other process operations are complete, e.g.,
after seed layer removal.
[0055] FIG. 3I illustrates an alternative embodiment 340 of a
carrier wafer subassembly 303, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. In FIG. 3I, insulator 312a, metal 315a and
insulator 316a are modified from the forms 312, 315 and 316 (FIG.
3E) to allow some instances of filled vias 320b to make contact
with a conductive substrate 310a. Conductive substrate 310a may
comprise any suitable material, for example a metal or alloy, and
may server multiple functions, including, for example, the
functions of a mechanical substrate, one electrode of an LED
assembly, and as a heat sink.
[0056] FIG. 3J illustrates an alternative embodiment 350 of a
carrier wafer subassembly 304, in accordance with the present
invention. In contrast to wafer subassembly 301 (FIG. 3E), wafer
subassembly lacks insulator 312 deposited on substrate 310a.
Rather, patterned metal 315b is deposited directly onto substrate
310a, via any suitable process. An additional patterned metal 318
is deposited onto insulator 316b. Some filled metal vias 320c
contact patterned metal 318 while some filled metal vias 320c
contact patterned metal 315b.
[0057] FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate an exemplary process 400 for
joining light emitting diode sub-assembly 201 to carrier wafer
sub-assembly 301 (or 302, 303, 304), in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 4A illustrates the joining of sub-assembly 201 with
sub-assembly 301, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. The light emitting diode sub-assembly 201 is inverted.
The joining may be via any suitable process and materials. For
example, a thermo compression wafer bonding process may be
utilized. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
the back side of substrate 292 may be polished on the back side,
e.g., the top as illustrated in FIG. 4A, which may improve
transparency and aid alignment of the two sub-assemblies 201, 301,
from the back side of substrate 292.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the substrate 292 of sub-assembly
201 is removed, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. The removal may be via any suitable process and
materials. For example, the substrate 292 may be removed by a laser
lift off process, or may be polished off, e.g., via chemical
mechanical polishing, or lapping.
[0060] FIG. 4C illustrates etching of the top, in the view of FIG.
4C, surface of the light emitting diode, e.g., layer 294 (FIG. 2A).
The etching may be via any suitable process and materials, and may
remove, for example, about 1.65 gm of material. In addition, the
top surface of the light emitting diode, e.g., layer 294 (FIG. 2A),
may be roughened, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. The roughening may enhance light output, and may be
accomplished via any suitable process.
[0061] FIG. 4D illustrates a deposition of optional layer 470 of
transparent conductive material, e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO). The
deposition may be via any suitable process and materials. For
example, 250 nm of ITO may be sputtered and then annealed in a
nitrogen (N2) atmosphere for about four hours at about 180.degree.
C. A shadow mask is generally needed before depositing the ITO 470.
The mask may be the same as or similar to a mask utilized in
defining an array area, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.
[0062] FIG. 4D further illustrates the formation of a layer 480
forming a lens or encapsulant. Layer 480 may be transparent, and
may be designed to optically enhance light emission and/or
directionality, of a light emitting diode. Layer 480 may also
comprise a phosphor layer, e.g., for producing light responsive to
receiving light energy from a light emitting diode.
[0063] It is appreciated that the processes described above may
take place at a wafer level. For example, substrate 292 (FIG. 2A)
may comprise a "2-inch" sapphire wafer. Accordingly, the resulting
light emitting diode with vias may have on the order of three
square inches of light emitting diode surface. The structures
disclosed herein may advantageously provide sufficient thermal
conduction to extract heat from such a large device.
[0064] In addition, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, the wafer may be singulated, e.g., cut between vias and
contact structures, into smaller-area light emitting diodes.
[0065] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
high efficiency light emitting diode with vias may be coupled to a
heat sink, e.g., on the bottom of substrate 310.
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a high
efficiency light emitting diode (LED) with vias 500, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention. Light emitting diode 500
may generally correspond to light emitting diode 100 of FIG. 1A.
Light emitting diode 500 comprises a stack of light emitting
materials 540. Materials stack 540 may generally correspond to LED
stack 190 (FIG. 1A), e.g., layers 294-298 of FIG. 2A.
[0067] With reference to the top view in FIG. 5, light emitting
diode 500 comprises a transparent contact 510 on its top.
Transparent contact 510 may generally correspond to transparent
layer 170 of FIG. 1A. Light emitting diode 500 comprises a
plurality of filled vias 520. Filled vias 520 may conduct
electricity to the n-type material of the light emitting diode 540.
Filled vias 520 generally correspond to filled vias 140 of FIG. 1A.
The vias 520 should represent less than 10% of the top surface area
of light emitting diode 500. The vias 520 should be spaced no more
than about 200 gm apart.
[0068] With reference to the bottom view in FIG. 5, light emitting
diode 500 comprises a plurality of contacts 530. Contacts 530 may
conduct electricity to the p-type material of the light emitting
diode 540. Contacts 530 may generally correspond to contacts 155 of
FIG. 1A.
[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an application of a high
efficiency light emitting diode with vias, e.g., a high efficiency
light emitting diode with vias 100, in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention. Light appliance 600 is well suited to a
variety of lighting applications, including domestic, industrial
and landscape lighting. Light appliance 600 is also well suited to
stage or theatrical lighting. Light appliance 600 comprises a base
610. As illustrated, base 610 is an Edison type base. It is
appreciated that embodiments in accordance with the present
invention are well suited to other types of bases, including, for
example, GU, bayonet, bipin, wedge, stage pin or other types of
bases.
[0070] Light appliance 600 additionally comprises a body portion
620 that houses power conditioning electronics (not shown) that
convert 110 V AC input electrical power (or 220 V AC, or other
selected input electrical power) to electrical power suitable for
driving a plurality of light emitting diode devices 640. Body
portion 620 may also comprise, or couple to, optional heat sink
features (not shown).
[0071] Light appliance 600 may additionally comprise optional
optics 630. Optics 630 comprise diffusers and/or lenses for
focusing and/or diffusing light from the plurality of light
emitting diode devices 640 into a desired pattern.
[0072] Light appliance 600 comprises a plurality of high efficiency
light emitting diode with vias devices. Individual instances of
plurality of high efficiency light emitting diode with vias devices
may correspond to assemblies previously described herein. For
example light appliance 600 may include one or more instances of a
high efficiency light emitting diode with vias 100. Each instance
of a high efficiency light emitting diode with vias 100 may
comprise one or more light emitting diodes. It is appreciated that
not all high efficiency light emitting diode with vias 100 need be
identical, and that not all light emitting diodes in a single
instance of high efficiency light emitting diode with vias 100 need
be identical.
[0073] It is to be further appreciated that appliance 600 may
comprise a plurality of individual, different, LED devices. For
example, one instance of an electronic device may be a blue light
emitting diode comprising a sapphire substrate. Another instance of
an electronic device may be a green light emitting diode comprising
a gallium phosphide (GaP) substrate. Another instance of an
electronic device may be a red light emitting diode comprising a
gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate. The three instances of
electronic devices may be arranged such that the light from such
three colors may be combined to produce a variety of spectral
colors. For example, a plurality of light emitting diode devices
may operate in combination to produce a "white" light output.
[0074] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
device 600 may include additional electronics associated with the
LED devices. In one exemplary embodiment, such additional
electronics may comprise circuits to implement a white balance
among tri-color LEDs.
[0075] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
systems and methods for high performance light emitting diodes with
vias. In addition, embodiments in accordance with the present
invention provide systems and methods for high performance light
emitting diodes with vias that enable wafer level packaging,
improved thermal conduction and electrical field distribution, and
further enable electrical contacts on opposite sides. Further,
embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
systems and methods for high performance light emitting diodes with
vias that are compatible and complementary with existing systems
and methods of integrated circuit design, manufacturing and
test.
[0076] Various embodiments of the invention are thus described.
While the present invention has been described in particular
embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention should not
be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed
according to the below claims.
* * * * *