Patent ID: 8508008

Claim:
A semiconductor device, comprising: a first circuit element formed in and above a first silicon-containing semiconductor layer; a second circuit element formed in and above said first silicon-containing semiconductor layer; a second silicon-containing semiconductor layer positioned below said first silicon containing semiconductor layer; a first vertical cladding material layer comprised of a dielectric material positioned above and on said second silicon-containing semiconductor layer; a second vertical cladding material layer comprised of a dielectric material positioned below and on said second silicon-containing semiconductor layer; a first lateral cladding material layer that is positioned in at least said second silicon-containing semiconductor layer, wherein said first and second vertical cladding materials and said first lateral cladding material define an optical waveguide structure comprised of a portion of said second silicon-containing semiconductor layer, a lateral dimension of said optical waveguide structure being defined by said first lateral cladding material layer; a light-emitting element formed in said optical waveguide structure; a light-receiving element formed in said optical waveguide structure, said light-receiving element being configured and arranged to receive light from said light-emitting element traveling within said optical waveguide structure; and an interconnect structure configured to electrically connect said light-emitting element with said first circuit element and to electrically connect said light-receiving element with said second circuit element.