Patent ID: 9660419
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: H01S

Claim:
1. A process for fabricating a photonic device, comprising: forming on a top surface of a substrate a semiconductor structure comprising an active layer; dry etching at least one facet in said semiconductor structure defining at least one side surface of said semiconductor structure and at least one side wall in said semiconductor structure defining remaining side surfaces of said semiconductor structure, wherein said etching exposes said active layer; directly covering all side and top surfaces of said semiconductor structure with a single continuous protective layer of a dielectric material including directly covering said active layer at said at least one etched facet; opening a contact window in said single continuous protective layer at said top surface of said semiconductor structure; and depositing a metal layer to cover said contact window and overlap onto said single continuous protective layer to provide an electrically conductive contact on a top surface of said semiconductor structure; wherein all side and top surfaces of said semiconductor structure remain directly covered with said single continuous protective layer and said metal layer after completion of said process to seal said semiconductor structure.