Patent ID: 6744796
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: H01L,H01S

Abstract:
A method of passivating a semiconductor optical device structure, the method comprising the steps of:a) cleaving an optical device structure to form a pair of opposing facets; b) placing the cleaved optical device structure in a vacuum chamber exhibiting a minimal vacuum; c) etching a first facet of the pair of opposing facets to remove native oxide contamination, using a molecular gas etchant to perform the etching; d) as the etching is completing, determined by a predetermined time required to remove the native oxide contamination, initiating a flux of passivation material toward the facet surface being etched so that the etching continues as the flux is beginning to deposit; e) slowly turning off the etching process and continuing with the flux of passivation material until a predetermined thickness of a passivation layer is formed on the etched facet surface; and f) thermally evaporating a protective film of a predetermined thickness over the passivation layer.