Patent ID: 7514708

Claim:
A semiconductor, comprising: a sub-micron resonant tunneling diode having a peak-to-valley current ratio of greater than 4 to 1, including: a. a substrate; b. bottom contact layer contacting substrate; c. an ohmic metal contact in contact with the bottom contact layer; d. a top cap layer and quantum well structure sandwiched between a top metal contact and the bottom contact layer, wherein a top of the ohmic metal contact and a top of the metal contact are substantially planner; e. a passivating substance in contact with the substrate that substantially fills all voids from the substrate to substantially the top of the ohmic metal contact and the top of the top metal contact, substantially enveloping the following: i. the bottom contact layer; ii. the top cap layer and quantum well structure; iii. the ohmic metal contact; and iv. the top metal contact; wherein the top of the ohmic metal contact and the top metal contact are substantially free of the passivating substance, such that a portion of the ohmic metal contact and a portion of the top metal contact are exposed parallel to or above the passivating substance.