Patent ID: 9159873
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for producing, with a semiconductor device, optical signals with improved efficiency, comprising the steps of: providing a layered semiconductor structure that includes a substrate, a semiconductor collector region of a first conductivity type, a semiconductor base region of a second conductivity type disposed on said collector region, and a semiconductor emitter region of said first semiconductor type disposed as a mesa over a portion of a surface of said base region; providing, in said base region, at least one region exhibiting quantum size effects; providing a collector electrode, a base electrode, and an emitter electrode, respectively coupled with said collector region, base region and emitter region, at least a portion of said base electrode being disposed on said surface of said base region and spaced from said mesa; providing a tunnel barrier layer over at least the exposed portion of said surface of said base region between said mesa and said base electrode; said base electrode being contiguous to said tunnel barrier layer and applying signals with respect to said collector electrode, base electrode, and emitter electrode, to produce optical signals from said base region.