GaN-Based Power LEDs With CMOS ESD Protection Circuits

A power light-emitting diode (LED) module has been successfully designed and demonstrated by combining GaN-based power LEDs with CMOS electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits through a flip-chip process. It was found that we could enhance the power LED output intensity by 20% by using the flip-chip technology. Lifetimes of flip-chip power LEDs were also found to be better. It was also found that the use of CMOS ESD protection circuits did not degrade the output intensity and lifetime of flip-chip power LEDs. Furthermore, it was found that we could not only significantly enhance the reverse ESD characteristics but could also enhance the positive ESD characteristics of nitride-based LEDs by using the CMOS ESD protection circuits.