Patent ID: 6049117
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
A light-receiving element which is a divided photodiode element including a plurality of light-detecting sections, the light receiving element comprising:a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type;a first semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type which is formed in a predetermined region in which the divided photodiode element is formed, on a surface of the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type; andat least one semiconductor region of the first conductivity type which is formed so as to extend from an upper surface of the first semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type into the surface of the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, thereby dividing the first semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type into a plurality of semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type,wherein a specific resistance of the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type is set in a predetermined range such that a condition Xd.gtoreq.Xj is satisfied between a depth Xd of a depletion layer to be formed at a junction between the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type and the first semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type upon an application of an inverse bias and a diffusion depth Xj of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, andwherein optical carriers generated upon irradiation of a light beam onto the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type move to a junction between the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type and the first semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type.