Patent ID: 7057214

Claim:
A semiconductor switch device for activation by light of a predetermined wavelength, comprising a semiconductor switch comprising: a first n-doped layer; a first p-doped layer forming a switch blocking junction where in contact with the first n-doped layer, a switch axis lying perpendicular to the switch blocking junction; and a groove having a light refracting side wall extending into the first n-doped layer from a side of the n-doped layer opposite from the switch blocking junction, at least a portion of the light refracting side wall being disposed non-parallel to the switch axis; wherein the first n-doped layer and the first p-doped layer substantially lie within an absorption depth from the groove, the first n-doped lever and the first p-doped layer comprising a material having a band gap and the absorption depth being a function of the band gap and the wavelength of the light.