Patent attributes
Described are light emitting apparatus with self-aligned elements and techniques for manufacturing such light emitting apparatus. In certain embodiments, a method for manufacturing a light emitting apparatus involves forming a plurality of semiconductor layers including a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a light emission layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The method further involves forming an electrical contact and a spacer. The electrical contact is formed on a surface of the first semiconductor layer. The spacer is formed on the surface of the first semiconductor layer, around the electrical contact. After forming the spacer, the plurality of semiconductor layers is etched to form a mesa with sidewalls that extend from an outer edge of the spacer. The spacer operates as an etch mask that causes the electrical contact to be substantially centered between opposing sidewalls of the mesa.