Patent ID: 8299485

Claim:
A multilayer wafer structure comprising: a silicon layer, an insulating layer and a layer that is lattice compatible with Group III-V compounds, with the lattice compatible layer in contact with one face of the insulating layer, and the silicon layer in contact with the face of the insulating layer opposite the lattice compatible layer, wherein the silicon and insulating layers contain at least one continuous cavity linking the lattice compatible layer to an exposed surface of the multilayer wafer structure, with the cavity filled with one of (1) materials compatible for fabricating a light detector and having a photodetector region therein, thus constituting a photodetector zone, or (2) a Group III-V material and a light source region therein, thus constituting a light source zone; wherein the silicon layer contains at least one waveguide connecting (1) the photodetector zone with a light source that is either within the multilayer wafer structure or is connected to it by an optical fiber, or (2) the light source zone with a photodetector that is either within the multilayer wafer structure or is outside it and connected to it by an optical fiber, and wherein the lattice compatible layer is supported on an oxide layer, itself supported by a silicon base substrate so as to constitute a Si-BOX-Ge-BOX-Si pentalayer structure.