A light emitting diode (LED) includes a substrate, a first conductive clad layer formed on the substrate, an active layer formed on the first conductive clad layer, a second conductive clad layer formed on the active layer, an alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) layer formed on the lower surface of the substrate, and an aluminum layer formed on the lower surface of the alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) layer. The substrate may be removed, and the aluminum layer and the alumina layer are formed directly on the lower surface of the first conductive clad layer.