Patent ID: 7768024

Claim:
A structure using integrated optical elements, comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a buffer layer grown on the substrate; (c) one or more first patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, wherein each of the first patterned layers is comprised of a bottom lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) mask layer and a first LEO nitride layer filling holes in the bottom LEO mask layer; (d) one or more active layers formed on the first patterned layers; and (e) one or more second patterned layers deposited on top of the active layer, wherein each of the second patterned layers is comprised of a top LEO mask layer and a second LEO nitride layer filling holes in the top LEO mask layer; (f) wherein the top, bottom, or top and bottom LEO mask layers, act as a mirror, optical confinement layer, grating, wavelength selective element, beam shaping element or beam directing element for the active layers.