Patent ID: 7678593
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A method for creating a photonic device comprising the steps of: a) selecting a base structure; b) forming an optical structure on the base structure; c) forming a coherent photonic emitter device on the optical structure; d) depositing at least one metal contact on the coherent photonic emitter; e) creating at least one facet having a first surface on the coherent photonic emitter structure, optical structure and base structure; f) depositing a sacrificial spacer layer along the first surface of each at least one facet and a user-definable portion of the optical structure and coherent photonic emitter device for a dimensional purpose and for no optical characteristic of the sacrificial spacer layer; g) depositing an intermediate layer on the sacrificial spacer layer; h) returning to steps (f) and (g) if additional sacrificial spacer layers are desired, otherwise proceeding to the step (i); i) depositing a mask layer over each sacrificial spacer layer and each intermediate layer deposited in the steps (f), (g) and (h); j) defining openings in the mask layer beside the facets, wherein the openings are oriented such that if any sacrificial spacer layer and intermediate layer is etched directly below the openings access would be provided to each sacrificial spacer layer; k) etching openings in each sacrificial spacer layer and each intermediate layer beneath the openings in the mask layer; and l) removing a user-definable portion of each sacrificial spacer layer to form a gap between each at least one facet and each intermediate layer.