Patent ID: 6518080
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a low dark current photodiode comprising:providing an epitaxial structure; depositing a contact epilayer on top of the epitaxial structure; depositing a diffusion mask on top of the contact epilayer; opening at least one hole in the diffusion mask; diffusing dopant through the at least one hole and into, the contact epilayer, and the epitaxial structure; depositing a contact mask on top of the diffusion mask and covering the at least one hole; selectively etching the contact mask, the diffusion mask, and the contact epilayer so that at least one contact mesa is formed and an underlying surface is exposed; applying a passivation coating on top of the contact mesa and the underlying surface; and depositing a contact through the passivation coating, a portion of the contact touching the contact mesa and another portion of the contact extending above the passivation coating.