Patent ID: 6894322
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A photodetector comprising: an input port at an input end face for receiving light to be detected, the input port being disposed about semiconductor layers including an absorption layer for absorbing light to be detected sandwiched between first and second light transmissive epitaxial semiconductor layers, the second light transmissive eptaxial semiconductor layer being a capping layer; a passivation layer supported by only a portion of a surface of the second light transmissive epitaxial semiconductor capping layer, said passivation layer having an opening within for accommodating a ring of a first contact layer of alloyed material that is supported by a another portion of the surface of the second light transmissive semiconductor capping layer and at least partially alloyed therewith for providing electrical contact to the epitaxial semiconductor layers via the second light transmissive semiconductor capping layer; and, a highly reflective non-epitaxial III-V semiconductor, non-alloyed material supported in part by the first contact layer of alloyed material and supported in part by the passivation layer, said highly reflective non-epitaxial-III-V-semiconductor, non-alloyed material facing the epitaxial semiconductor layers for reflecting back light that propagated through the absorption layer for a second pass into the absorption layer; wherein a primary electrical conduction path is formed between the first contact layer of alloyed material and the epitaxial semiconductor absorption layer.