Electronic devices involving contact structures, and related components,
systems and methods associated therewith are described. Contact
structures (also referred to as electrical contact structures or
electrodes) are features on a device that are electrically connected to a
power source. The power source can provide current to the device via the
contact structures. The contact structures can be designed to improve
current distribution in electronic devices. For example, the contact
resistance of the contacts may be modified to improve current
distribution (e.g., by controlling the shape and/or structure and/or
composition of the contacts). The contact structures may include an
intervening layer (e.g., a non-ohmic layer) positioned between a surface
of the device and a conductive portion extending from a conductive pad.
The intervening layer and/or conductive portions may be designed to have
certain shapes (e.g., non-linear shapes) that promote current flow from
the conductive pad towards the ends of the contacts to increase current
spreading. The intervening layer can also reduce light generation
underneath the light absorbing contacts to allow a greater percentage of
the generated light to emerge from the surface of the device.
Advantageously, devices including contact structures of the invention can
increase uniformity of light emission and/or otherwise improve
performance. As such, these contact structures are particularly suitable
for use in a variety of light-emitting devices, including LEDs.