A solid state light emitting device having a plurality of semiconductor finger members with side walls perpendicular to a substrate. Multiple quantum wells are formed on the side walls, and are also perpendicular to the substrate. Each multiple quantum well is sandwiched between the side wall of a finger member and a second semiconductor member of a conductivity type opposite to that of the finger member. Ohmic contacts are applied to the finger members and second semiconductor member for receiving a voltage. The device is GaN based such that emitted light will be in the UV region.