Edge-emitting led assembly

Abstract

A light-emitting diode (LED) in accordance with the invention includes an edge-emitting LED stack having an external emitting surface from which light is emitted, and a reflective element that is located adjacent to at least one external surface of the LED stack other than the external emitting surface. The reflective element receives light that is generated inside the LED stack and reflects the received light back into the LED stack. At least a portion of the reflected light is then emitted from the external emitting surface.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A light emitting diode (LED) assembly comprising:
 an edge-emitting LED stack comprising a first external emitting surface from which light is emitted; and   a reflective enclosure enclosing at least two external surfaces other than the first external emitting surface, wherein the reflective element is operable to reflect light that is generated inside the LED stack back into the LED stack, whereby at least a portion of the reflected light is emitted from the first external emitting surface.   
   
   
       12 . The LED assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the edge-emitting LED stack further comprises:
 a second external surface comprising a p-type contact;   a third external surface comprising an n-type contact; and   wherein the reflective enclosure further encloses at least a portion of the second external surface and at least a portion of the third external surface.   
   
   
       13 . The LED assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the edge-emitting LED stack further comprises:
 a substrate; and   a reflective layer located adjacent to a major internal surface of the substrate.   
   
   
       14 - 23 . (canceled)