Abstract: Low resistance and thermally stable n-type contacts to N-polar GaN are essentially important for vertical light emitting diodes (VLEDs). The electrical characteristics of VLEDs with n-type contacts on a roughened and flat N-polar surface have been compared. VLEDs with contacts deposited on a roughened surface exhibit lower leakage currents yet a higher operating voltage. Based on this, a new scheme by depositing metallization contacts on a selectively wet-etching roughened surface has been developed. Excellent electrical and optical characteristics have been achieved with this method. An aging test further confirmed its stability.

Key words: metallization contacts, wet etching, surface roughening