Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a plurality of light emitting devices (1), one of the light emitting devices in the plurality being configured to emit light having a first peak wavelength. A wavelength converting layer (30) is disposed in a path of light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices. The wavelength converting layer (30) absorbs light emitted by the light emitting device and emits light having a second peak wavelength. The light emitting devices (1) are mechanically connected to each other only through the wavelength converting layer (30). In other embodiments a light converting layer is placed over the light emitting devices and an adhesive or optical element layer is placed at the side surfaces and over the light converting layer, the light emitting devices are mechanically connected to each other only through the wavelength converting layer.