Patent ID: 7244998

Claim:
A light receiving semiconductor module, comprising: a plurality of substantially spherical semiconductor devices with a light receiving function arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with an aligned conduction direction; and a conductive connection mechanism, which electrically connects the plurality of semiconductor devices of each column in series such that for each individual column the semiconductor devices therein are serially connected with each other and said conductive connection mechanism electrically connects the plurality of semiconductor devices of each row in parallel such that for each individual row the semiconductor devices therein are parallel connected with each other, and said conductive connection mechanism thereby connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices in a matrix form, wherein each semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor element which has a flat surface formed by removing an apex part of a substantially spherical semiconductor crystal made of a p-type or n-type semiconductor; a diffusion layer or semiconductor thin-film deposition layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor element excluding the fiat surface, and a substantially spherical pn junction formed via the diffusion layer or semiconductor thin-film deposition layer; and first and second electrodes which are provided on the fiat surface and at an apex on the opposite side to the fiat surface respectively so as to face each other with a center of the semiconductor element interposed therebetween, and which are connected to both ends of the pn junction; and wherein the conductive connection mechanism comprises a plurality of thin plate-like lead frame made of a metal.