Planar Double-Heterostructure GaAlAs LED´s Packaged for Fiber Optics

A light-emitting diode (LED) design is described which incorporates the quantum efficiency advantages of a double heterostructure (DH) without the critical processing techniques required for Burrus diodes and DH lasers. A planar process is employed which yields internal quantum efficiencies as high as 100 percent and very rugged LED chips, comparable with most high-volume LED´s manufactured in the industry. The packaging concept used for the LED allows a pluggable fiber-optic interface with generous mechanical alignment tolerances and provides a hermetic environment for the LED.