The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 20, 2003
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kawasaki, JP;
Abstract
This invention provides a light-emitting element that comprises a light-emitting portion made of a nitride semiconductor; and a first wavefront converter for converting the radiated shape of light that is emitted from the light-emitting portion into a radiated shape that is smaller than the wavelength thereof, and emitting the same as output light. In this case, the first wavefront converter has a small aperture of a diameter that is smaller than the wavelength of light that is emitted from the light-emitting portion. If the output light is made to comprise an evanescent wave that is emitted to the exterior through this small aperture, it is possible to obtain an extremely small light spot. This invention also relates to a surface-emitting type of light-emitting element comprising a multi-layered structure comprising a light-emitting layer; and a pair of electrodes for supplying a current to the light-emitting layer; wherein output light is emitted from a light-emitting surface on top of the multi-layered structure; and the pair of electrodes are recessed from the light-emitting surface to the light-emitting layer side. This makes it possible to bring the light-emitting surface extremely close to an object to be illuminated. The small aperture can be opened up in a self-aligning manner by using the light from the light-emitting portion. As a result, it is possible to provide a light-emitting element and a method of fabrication thereof that create beam characteristics that are suitable for use with an optical disc or the like.