Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of optical devices and methods for their fabrication. Particularly, the present invention is concerned with sources and detectors for single photons.  
         [0002]     In a particular type of photon source and/or detector, it is desirable to fabricate an optical cavity with a narrow effective lateral area. It is also necessary to be able to apply a bias across the optical cavity. These two aims can conflict with one another since it is difficult to reliably fabricate a device where electrical contact is made to a cavity which has a narrow effective lateral area.  
         [0003]     One technique has involved for an optical cavity with a restricted size by patterning the mirrors above and below the cavity. Examples of this technique are described in Choquette et al., Proceedings of the IEEE 85, pages 1730 to 1739 (1997), Choquette et al., IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics 3, pages 916 to 926 (1997), Iga, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics 6, pages 1201 to 1215 (2000) and Chua et al, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 9 pages 551 to 553 (1997) where the mirrors are oxidised in order to reduce the effective size of the cavity without reducing the actual size of the device to allow easy contact.  
         [0004]     E. R. Brown et al., IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 40 pages 846 to 850 (1992) describes technique for making electrical contact to a semiconfocal open cavity resonator. Electrical contact is achieved by using a metal whisker.  
         [0005]     Transport based devices tend to be easier to fabricate than optical devices since they do not require an optical cavity to be defined in addition to any means for restricting the sport of carriers through the device. Jones et al. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques 45, pages 512 to 518 (1997) describe a varactor transport device where contact is made between a contact pad and anode using a metal air-bridge finger. A metal whisker is used to make contact to another varactor in Raisanen, Proceedings of the IEEE 80, pages 1842 to 1852 (1992).  
         [0006]     Randall et al. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B6, pages 302 to 305 (1987) describes resonant tunnelling diode transport devices formed by etching narrow pillars.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention attempts to address the above problems and in a first aspect provides an optical device comprising: 
        a first active stack of layers comprising an optical cavity,     at least one quantum dot located in said cavity;     an upper contact provided above said optical cavity;     a lower contact provided below said cavity, 
 
 wherein an abrupt material interface defines the whole lateral boundary of said cavity and said cavity is patterned such that it provides two dimensional lateral confinement of photon modes, said upper an lower contacts being arranged such that current can flow vertically across the cavity between the two contacts. 
       
 
         [0012]     The boundary of the optical cavity is defined by an abrupt material interface. For example, the cavity itself is patterned and optical confinement is achieved directly from the patterning of the optical cavity itself as opposed to patterning of layers above and/or below the cavity.  
         [0013]     Preferably, the cavity laterally extends over an area with dimensions of the order of the wavelength of a photon emitted from said quantum dot. For example, the diameter of the cavity may be substantially equal to the wavelength of a photon emitted by or absorbed by the quantum dot. Typically, the quantum dot will have a lateral area of approximately 200 to 400 nm 2  and preferably about 300 nm 2 . The lateral area of the emissive region or cavity is less than 10 −10  m 2  cavity may comprise a singe active quantum dot. The cavity may thus comprise a plurality of quantum dots where just one of them emits photons of the desired wavelength or the cavity may comprise just a single quantum dot. The output from a single quantum dot in a plurality of quantum dots may be selected by filtering, for example, configuring the cavity so that it is resonant with photons having the wavelength of the selected quantum dot. Alternatively, the cavity may comprise a plurality of active quantum dots.  
         [0014]     The active stack of layers is preferably taller than it is wide.  
         [0015]     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper contact comprises a semiconductor layer.  
         [0016]     More preferably, the upper contact forms a bridge. For example, the upper contact may extend between a first contact stack of layers and said first active stack of layers, said upper contact connecting said first contact stack and said first active stack of layers, such that said upper contact is suspended between and physically supported by first contact stack and said active stack of layers. Thus, the upper contact forms a bridge between the contact stack and the active stack. The upper contact is supported by both the active stack and contact stack such that it does not require any further fillers or insulators provided underneath the span of the bridge for support. However, further fillers or insulators may be provided underneath the span of the bridge.  
         [0017]     The cavity is preferably defined by at least one Bragg mirror or the like, thus, the device preferably further comprises a lower mirror region having a stack of alternating layers of a first type and a second type, said layers of a first type having a different refractive index to those of the second type and said stack of layers being configured to act as a mirror for said optical device, said stack of alternating layers being provided below said optical cavity to at least partially define said optical cavity,  
         [0018]     The lower mirror region may be provided in said active stack of layers and said first contact stack, said lower mirror region being patterned such that it is not present in the region between said contact stack and said active stack, such that said upper contact region is suspended between and physically supported by the parts of said lower mirror region provided in said fist contact region and said first active stack of layers.  
         [0019]     The lower contact is preferably in the form of a layer which may be provided below said lower mirror region and/or between said lower mirror region and said optical cavity, a so-called intracavity contact.  
         [0020]     The device may also comprise an upper mirror region, said upper mirror region comprising a stack of alternating layers of a third type and a fourth type, said layers of a third type having a different refractive index to those of the fourth type and said stack of layers being configured to act as a mirror for said optical device, said upper mirror region being provided above said optical cavity to at least partially define said optical cavity.  
         [0021]     The mirror regions may comprise dopants such that they will also form part of the upper and/or lower contact.  
         [0022]     The upper mirror region may comprise fewer layers than the lower mirror region to allow radiation to more easily exit the device through the upper mirror region.  
         [0023]     In a preferred embodiment, the upper contact comprises a patterned layer which has a substantially elongate section and said lower contact comprises a patterned layer which has a substantially elongate section and wherein the major axis of the first and second elongate sections are arranged to cross one another. More preferably, the major axis of the first and second elongate sections are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another.  
         [0024]     Generally, the active stack is provided at the intersection of the upper contact and lower contact.  
         [0025]     The active stack is patterned in two lateral dimensions so that it can provide two dimensional lateral confinement.  
         [0026]     The upper mirror region may be patterned with the active stack so that it is flush with the stack on all sides, or it may be patterned with the upper contact so that it is flush with the upper contact. Alternatively, the upper mirror may be patterned so that the top part of the mirror is flush with the upper contact and the lower part of the mirror is flush with the active stack.  
         [0027]     Similarly, the lower mirror region may be patterned with the active stack so that it is flush with the stack on all sides, or it may be patterned with the lower contact so that it is flush with the lower contact. Alternatively, the upper mirror may be patterned so that the lower part of the mirror is flush with the lower contact and the upper part of the mirror is flush with the active stack.  
         [0028]     An insulator may be provided sounding the optical cavity. Typical insulators which may be used are polyimide, silicon nitrite, silicon dioxide, spin on glass, etc.  
         [0029]     In an alternative embodiment, the optical cavity is surrounded by an insulator and the upper contact is placed on both the active stack and the insulator so that the insulator at least partially supports the upper contact.  
         [0030]     In order to allow light to enter or be emitted from the device, the upper contact is preferably substantially transparent to the wavelength of radiation emitted from or absorbed by the quantum dot.  
         [0031]     The active stack of layers is preferably between 1 and 3 μm in diameter, more preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 μm, even more preferably around 2 μm.  
         [0032]     In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of fabricating an optical device, said method comprising: 
        forming a lower contact layer,     forming an active stack of layers overlying said lower contact layer, said active stack of layers comprising an optical cavity and at least one quantum dot located in said cavity;     forming an upper contact to said optical cavity; and     patterning said cavity such that an abrupt material interface defines the whole lateral boundary of said cavity and said cavity is patterned such that it provides two dimensional lateral confinement of photon modes,     wherein said upper and lower contacts being arranged such that current can flow vertically across the cavity between the two contacts.        
 
         [0038]     Preferably, the patterning of said cavity takes place after said upper contact is formed and wherein said upper contact is a semiconductor layer.  
         [0039]     In an embodiment of the invention, said step of patterning said cavity comprises wet etching through a resist, said resist and the layers of the device being configured such that said etch undercuts said upper contact to form a suspended bridge. The resist may be a photo resist or an e-beam resist such as PMMA.  
         [0040]     The cavity may be defined by upper an/or lower Bragg mirrors, thus the method may further comprise forming a lower mirror region below said cavity, said lower mirror region comprising a stack of alternating layers of first type and a second type, said layers of a first type having a different refractive index to those of the second type and said stack of layers being configured to act as a mirror for said optical device.  
         [0041]     The lower mirror region may be laterally etched to form the suspended upper contact, thus the method may comprise laterally etching at least one of said layers in said lower mirror region using a first selective wet etch configured to etch the first type of layers of said lower mirror region such that at least one of said first type of layers is removed from underneath selected sections of said upper contact; and 
        laterally etching at least one of said layers in said lower mirror region using a second selective wet etch configured to etch the second type of layers of said lower mirror region such that at least one of said second type of layers is removed from underneath selected sections of said upper contact such that parts of said upper contact are suspended.        
 
         [0043]     The method may also comprise forming an upper mirror region above said cavity, said upper mirror region comprising a stack of alternating layers of a third type and a fourth type, said layers of a third type having a different refractive index to those of the fourth type and said stack of layers being configured to act as a mirror for said optical device.  
         [0044]     The upper mirror region may be patterned by 
        laterally etching at least one of said layers in a said upper mirror region using a third selective wet etch configured to etch the third type of layers of said upper mirror region such that at least one of said third type of layers is removed from underneath selected sections of said upper contact; and     laterally etching at least one of said layers in said upper mirror region using a fourth selective wet etch configured to etch the fourth type of layers of said upper mirror region such that at least one of said fourth type of layers is removed from underneath selected sections of said upper contact such that parts of said upper contact are suspended.        
 
         [0047]     The first and third type of layers may be the same. Also the second and fourth type of layers may be the same. Similarly, the first and third etchants may be the same and/or the second and fourth etchants may be the same.  
         [0048]     Examples of layer systems which may form a Bragg reflector or the like and which may be selectively etches as described above are GaAs/AlAs, Al 1-x Ga x As/GaAs, InGaP/GaAs, In x Ga 1-x As/GaAs, etc.  
         [0049]     In a preferred arrangement, said lower contact is patterned to form an elongate section and said upper contact is patterned to form an elongate section, the major axis of the upper and lower contacts&#39; elongate sections are arranged to cross one another.  
         [0050]     The lower mirror region may be formed after said lower contact or the lower contact may be provided between said mirror region and said cavity.  
         [0051]     Said lower contact may be patterned by wet etching through a resist, said resist and the layers of the device being configured such that said etch undercuts said upper contact to form a suspended bridge.  
         [0052]     In general, the suspended upper contact is formed by etching said layers vertically, then using a selective etch to undercut the upper contact to suspend the upper contact. The vertical etch may be a dry etch or a wet etch.  
         [0053]     Preferably, the method comprises forming an etch top layer which is not preferentially attacked by the selective etch, said etch stop layer being located at least at the depth of the bottom of the vertical etch. This layer prohibits the lateral etch vertically etching the structure and hence enhances the efficiency of the lateral etch.  
         [0054]     In an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises providing an insulator around said patterned cavity.  
         [0055]     The insulator is preferably provided to the device by a spun-on process or evaporation, sputtering etc, The evaporation may be thermal evaporation or e-beam evaporation.  
         [0056]     Regardless of the method used to provide the insulator to the device, it is preferable if a protective layer is provided to the top of said active stack prior to providing said insulator. A protective layer allows a good clean surface on the top of the active stack to be recovered. This is desirable to provide good ohmic contacts to the stack.  
         [0057]     Preferably, the protective layer comprises a resist, e.g. photoresist or e-beam resist. More preferably, the resist has an undercut profile. The resist is preferably the resist used to define the active stack. Alternatively a different material may be used. This material may be applied and self aligned under the resist used to define the active stack. The protective layer should be chosen from materials that will not degrade during the subsequent processing stages, but should be easily removable to allow a clean surface to be exposed on the top of said active stack.  
         [0058]     When the insulator is provided by a spun-on process, the insulator is preferably etched or recessed to expose the top of said active stack and providing said top contact so that it is partially supported by said insulator.  
         [0059]     When the insulator is provided by an evaporation process, the active stack is preferably tilted with the respect to the flux during the evaporation process and is rotated during the evaporation process.  
         [0060]     More preferably, the active stack is tilted such that its top surface forms and angle from 5° to 30° to a plane perpendicular to the flux direction during evaporation and rotated at a rotation rate from 10 to 100 revolutions per minute.  
         [0061]     Preferably, a protective layer is used if the insulator is to be evaporated. This allows insulator provided on said protective layer to be removed using a lift-off process to expose the top of the active stack. The top contact is provided so that it is partially supported by said insulator surrounding the active stack.  
         [0062]     The top contact is preferably transparent to allow light to be collected from the top of the stack.  
         [0063]     The above fabrication methods may be used for a number of different types of devices, for example, single photon emitters based on InAs quantum dots in a resonant tunnelling diode or for supporting or passivating sidewalls for high aspect micropillars, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0064]     The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiments in which:  
         [0065]      FIG. 1  is a schematic layer structure of a semiconductor device which may be patterned to form a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0066]      FIG. 2  is a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0067]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   h  are fabrication stages of a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0068]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0069]      FIGS. 5   a  to  5   h  schematically illustrate fabrication stages for the device of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0070]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  schematically illustrate selected fabrication stages for a device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0071]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0072]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0073]      FIGS. 9   a  to  9   g  schematically illustrate fabrication stages in the device of  FIG. 7  and  
         [0074]      FIG. 9   h  schematically illustrates a further fabrication stage in order to make the device of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0075]      FIG. 10  is a device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0076]      FIGS. 11   a  to  11   f  are fabrication stages required for the device of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 12  is a schematic of a device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0078]      FIGS. 13   a  to  13   e  are fabrication stages for the device of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0079]      FIGS. 14   a  to  14   g  schematically illustrate further fabrication stages for a device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0080]      FIGS. 15   a  to  15   f  schematically illustrate fabrication stages for a device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0081]      FIGS. 16   a  to  16   e  schematically illustrate a further fabrication method for a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0082]      FIGS. 17   a  to  17   d  are pictures of the various fabrication stages explained with reference to  FIGS. 16   a  to  16   e.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0083]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a typical layer structure which may be used in a device in accordance with the present invention. The layer structure is typically fabricated by an epitaxial growth technique such as molecular beam epitaxy. However, other common crystal growth techniques and latticed matched techniques may be employed, e.g. metal-organo chemical vapour deposition. The structure in this particular example is fabricated on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate  1 . Buffer layer  3  is provided overlying and in contact with said substrate  1 . Buffer layer  3  comprises 500 nm of intrinsic GaAs. Etch stop layer  5  is then provided overlying and in contact with said buffer layer  3 . Etch stop layer  5  comprises 130 nm of undoped AlAs. This layer functions as a first matrix layer. A second matrix layer  7  is then provided overlying and in contact with said etch stop layer. Said second matrix layer comprises 200 nm of intrinsic GaAs. The first and second matrix layers  5 ,  7  may be repeated a number of times in the sample in case more than one etch stop layer is required, for example, in a case where the sample is accidentally over-etched during one of the etching stages which will be described with reference to FIGS.  2  to  13 .  
         [0084]     Other bilayer material systems that can form DBRs and also selectively etched may also be used e.g. Al 1-x Ga x As/GaAs, InGaP/GaAs, In x GA 1-x As/GaAs, etc.  
         [0085]     Layers  1  to  7  form the base  9  of the structure. First p-type electrode layer  11  is formed overlying and in contact with said second matrix layer  7 . First p-type electrode layer  11  comprises 250 nm of p-type GaAs with Be doping of 5×10 18  cm  −3 . Carbon doping may also be used in order to dope p-type layer  11  and carbon doping may be preferable especially when Be diffusion causes problems.  
         [0086]     Lower distributed Bragg reflector  13  is then formed overlying and in contact with said first p-type contact layer  11 . Lower distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) comprises eleven pairs of altering 95.3 nm GaAs and 111.7 nm AlAs layers, all p-doped with Be at 1×10 18  cm −3 . The number of repeats required depends on the measure of the mirror reflectivity. Preferably, the alternating stack can comprise from two to fifty periods, In any case, the thickness of these layers satisfies the relation 
 
 n   a   t   a   =n   b   t   b =λ/4
 
 whereby n i  and t i  are the refractive index and thickness respectively of materials a and b and λ, the desired mission wavelength. 
 
         [0087]     When the layers of lower DBR  13  are doped, they may also be used as part of the contact structure. Lower cavity layer  15  is then provided overlying and in contact with said lower DBR  13 . Said lower cavity layer comprises 95.3 nm intrinsic GaAs.  
         [0088]     In a variation on the device of  FIG. 1 , a second p-type contact layer is formed between said lower DBR mirror and said lower cavity layer  15 . Said second contact layer comprising 150 nm of Be doped p-type GaAs. This second contact layer allows an intracavity contact to be made to the device. This will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 7, 8  and  9 .  
         [0089]     Quantum dot layer  17  is then provided overlying and in contact with said lower cavity layer  15 . Quantum dot layer  17  is provided overlying and in contact with said lower cavity layer  15 . Quantum dot layer  17  is formed by growing approximately 1.8 monolayers of InAs. Due to the lattice mismatch between InAs and GaAs, the InAs forms self-assembled islands on the wafer surface following the Stranskii-Krastinov growth mechanism. By controlling the amount and shape of the InAs deposited, the quantum dots of layer  17  can be tuned to emit the desired wavelength.  
         [0090]     Upper cavity layer  19  is then provided overlying and in contact with said quantum dot layer  17 . Upper cavity layer  19  comprises 95.3 nm of intrinsic GaAs. This layer also serves as a capping layer for dot layer  17 .  
         [0091]     The total thickness of the cavity, i.e. upper and lower cavity layers  15  and  19  with quantum dot layer  17  should obey the relation 
 
 L   c =( m λ)/2 n   c )
 
 whereby m is an integer and n c , the average refractive index of the cavity. The layers  15 ,  17  and  19  define an active region or cavity region  20 . 
 
         [0092]     Upper distributed Bragg reflector  21  is then formed overlying and in contact with said upper cavity layer  19 . Upper DBR  21  comprises eight periods of alternating 111.7 nm AlAs and 95.3 nm GaAs. These layers are n-doped with Si at 2×10 18  cm −3 . As expected, the number of repeats and layer thickness should follow similar conditions for the lower DBR  13 . Generally, the upper DBR  21  will have fewer layers than the lower DBR  13  to allow radiation to exit the device through the upper surface.  
         [0093]     Finally, n-type electrode  23  is then formed overlying and in contact with said upper DBR  21 . n-type electrode  23  comprises 150 nm of n-type GaAs Si-doped with a concentration of 2×10 18  cm 31 3 .  
         [0094]     In the above structure, p-type layers are located below the cavity region and n-type layers above. However, the order of the layers may be reversed. In use, a bias is applied between upper n-type contact layer  23  and lower p-type contact layer  11 . If an intracavity contact layer as described above is provided, the bias may be applied between upper n-type contact layer  23  and intracavity p-type contact layer (not shown). This causes electrons and holes to be injected into quantum dots in layer  17  for recombination and emission of photons. If the output from a single quantum dot is selected, the device is configured as a single photo source.  
         [0095]     The structure of  FIG. 1  is given as an example of a structure which may be patterned in accordance with the methods described with referenced to FIGS.  2  to  13 . However, any structure may be used where it is necessary to isolate a layer located near the top of the structure, e.g. contact layer  23  from lower layers where a DBR or similar structure of alternating layers is provided underneath the upper layer.  
         [0096]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the layer structure described with reference to  FIG. 1  is patterned to form a crosswire arrangement with an upper wire  51  arranged perpendicular to a lower wire  53 . The upper wire  51  comprises upper and type contact electrode  23  ( FIG. 1 ) and upper DBR  21  ( FIG. 1 ). The lower wire  53  comprises first p-type contact layer  11  and lower DBR  13  ( FIG. 1 ). The active region or stack which is formed by upper cavity layer  19 , dot layer  17  and lower cavity layer  15  is located at the intersection  55  of upper and lower wires  51 ,  53 . The active region is patterned in two dimensions so that it has the narrowest width of the lower wire  53  in one dimension and the narrowest width of the upper wire  51  in the other dimension.  
         [0097]     Upper wire  51  is connected to first  57  and second  59  contact stacks at either end. Upper wire  51  contact stacks  57 ,  59  both comprise the plurality of layers detailed in relation to  FIG. 1 . Metal electrodes  61 ,  63  are formed on upper wire contact stacks  57 ,  59  respectively.  
         [0098]     Lower wire  55  is connected at either end to lower wire contact stacks  65  and  67 . Contact stacks  65  and  67  comprise lower DBR  13  and p-type contact layer  11  ( FIG. 1 ). Metal electrodes  69 ,  71  are formed on lower wire contact stacks  65 ,  67  respectively.  
         [0099]     Passivation film  73  is provided at the sides of the intersection of the DBRs between the upper wire  51  and the lower wire  53 .  
         [0100]     The intersection between the upper wire  51  and the lower wire  53  comprises an active region flanked on either side by the upper DBR  21  ( FIG. 1 ) and a lower DBR  13  ( FIG. 1 ). Thus, an active device is produced which may be contacted using upper wire contact stacks  57 ,  59  through upper wire  51  or lower wire contact stacks  65 ,  67  to lower wire  53 .  
         [0101]     The upper conducting wire  51  is electrically isolated from the lower conducting wire  53 . The charge injected into the upper contact stacks  57 ,  59  travels along upper wire  51  and charge injected into the lower contact stacks  65 ,  67  travels along lower wire  53 . The actual geometry of the intersection can be tailored for the appropriate application, e.g. circular mesa with three or more symmetrically centered contact arms to each layer.  
         [0102]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   h  described how the device illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be fabricated. The layer structure detailed in  FIG. 1  is first grown structure  101 .  FIG. 3   a , a simplified layer structure is shown where some of the layers of  FIG. 1  are omitted 500 nm of photoresist is spun and patterned to form a thin narrow line,  103 , which is approximately 1 μm wide or less. At the ends of the narrow line  103  there are masked regions  105  and  107 . The sample is then subjected to a reactive ion etching process e.g. using a SiCl 4  gas plasma. The structure is etched partway into the lower section of the undoped GaAs cavity layer  15  ( FIG. 1 ). The results of this etch are shown in  FIG. 3   b . It can be seen that the anisotropic etch produces a near vertical wall mesa  109 . The photoresist is then removed to expose a thin wire  111  connected to stack  113  and stack  115 . Thin wire  111  and stacks  113  and  115  currently comprise all layers of the structure shown in  FIG. 1  from partway through the lower cavity layer  15 .  
         [0103]     Next, contacts are formed to the structure. First and second lower p-type contacts  117  and  119  are formed on the etched layer. Contacts  117  and  119  are formed in a line which approximately bisects thin wire  111 . These contacts are p-type contacts and are intended to make electrical connection to the lower DBR  13  and lower p-type contact layer  11 . The contact is formed from AuBe alloy and is deposited by thermal evaporation onto predefined areas using the standard lift-off technique. The alloy is then annealed at 480° C. for 180 seconds in a forming gas. Any other suitable alloy which forms ohmic contacts to p-type GaAs and p-type AlAs could be used, for example AuZn.  
         [0104]     Next, first and second n-type contacts  121  and  123  are made to upper contact stacks  113  and  115  respectively. Following a similar process to the lower p-type contacts  117 ,  119 . In other words, the contacts are defined using a standard lift-off process. A series of metals, namely Ni/AuGe/Ni/Au in this sequence are deposited by thermal evaporation without breaking the vacuum onto predefined areas using a standard lift-off technique. The alloy is then annealed at 400° C. for 60 seconds in a forming gas. As before, any other suitable alloy which forms ohmic contacts to the n-type GaAs and n-type AlAs could be used, for example Pd/Ge or Ag/Ge. The n-type contacts are formed after the p-type contacts because annealing of the n-type contacts will not affect the p-type contacts as the p-type contacts have a much higher annealing temperature.  
         [0105]     Once the contacts have been formed, 2.8 μm of photoresist, much thicker than the wire  111 , is spun and patterned as shown in  FIGS. 3   d  and  3   e .  FIG. 3   d  is a three-dimensional view of the photoresist,  FIG. 3   e  is cross section along line A-A′ shown in  FIG. 3   d . As can be seen from  FIG. 3   d , the photoresist covers both the wire  111  and contact stacks  113 ,  115 . The photoresist is thick enough that it covers the sides of the contact stacks and wire as well. In addition to covering the contact stacks  113 ,  115  and wire  111 , the photoresist also covers p-type contacts  117 ,  119  (not shown) and defines a second narrow wire  131  between these contacts.  
         [0106]     The sample is then exposed to reactive ion etching in a SiCl 4  gas plasma which is arbitrarily stopped partway in the p-type GaAs layer  11  as shown in  FIG. 3   f  (see  FIG. 1 ). This etch exposes the sides of the lower DBR mirror  13 . Specifically, the sides  141  and  143  of lower DBR mirror  13  in con act stacks  113  and  115  are exposed. Also, the sides  145  and  147  of lower DBR mirror  13  in lower wire  131  are exposed and also the sides of the lower DBR mirror  13  under first wire  111  are exposed. Wet chemical etching may also be used providing that the undercut of the etch is negligible.  
         [0107]     With a photoresist in place, the sample is then subject to a further etch in a solution C 6 H 8 O 7  and H 2 O 2  (7:1 volume ratio). This isotropic etching preferentially removes GaAs only but not AlAs. (Strictly speaking, the dissolution of AlAs does actually take place but it is significantly slower than GaAs in the solution.) Therefore, the p-type GaAs in the lower DBR mirror and the lower p-type GaAs electrode  11  and the intrinsic GaAs layers are removed in all directions, i.e. downwards and sideways. Once the etching consumes the intrinsic Gas and encounters the AlAs stop layer  5 , the downward chemical reaction is inhibited. However, the lateral etch is allowed to continue until all the exposed p-type GaAs are removed leaving p-type AlAs layers in the bottom DBR  13  as is shown in  FIG. 3   g . Other suitable etch solutions may be used, for example NH 4 OH:H 2 O 2 .  
         [0108]     The process is then repeated using etch which selectively removes the AlAs layers and which does not etch GaAs. Typically, a buffered HF etch is used. The use of both of these etches allows the first wire  11  to form a suspended contact. Other suitable etch solutions may be used, for example concentrated HCl. Finally, the photoresist mask is dissolved in the appropriate solvent.  
         [0109]     Thus, the structure may be fabricated using just four photolithography steps:  
         [0110]     Step 1) to define first upper wire  111  and contact stacks  113 ,  115  as shown in  FIG. 3   a;    
         [0111]     Step 2) to form p-type contacts;  
         [0112]     Step 3) to form n-type contacts;  
         [0113]     Step 4) pattern structure laterally as shown in  FIG. 3   f  which is then further laterally etched using selective etchings to undercut upper wire  111  to form a suspended bridge.  
         [0114]     Additionally, an insulator passivation film may be included to encapsulate the intersection region to minimise oxidation of the AlAs layers. This step may be achieved by photo-imaging a spin on insulator through standard lithography, e.g. polyimide. Other alternative methods include the etch back and planarisation of an insulator, e.g. patterning of Si 3 N 4  deposited by vapour deposition or wet oxidation of the AlAs into inert Al x O y  layers in a thermal furnace.  
         [0115]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, As for  FIG. 2 , the device of  FIG. 4  is fabricated by patterning the structure described with reference to  FIG. 1  but may be used for other layer structures. The device of  FIG. 4  again comprises a cross-wire structure with a first suspended thin top wire  201  arranged perpendicular to a lower wire  203 . The top wire is connected at either end to top wire contact stacks  205  and  207 , the lower wire is connected to lower wire contact stacks  209  and  211 . The top wire is formed of a single contact layer and the bottom wire comprises a contact layer. Neither wire  201  nor wire  203  comprise the upper and/or lower DBRs of  FIG. 1 . Thus, the structure differs from that described with reference to  FIG. 2 . An active region which comprises an optical cavity defined by upper and lower DBRs is formed as a narrow vertical pillar  213  at the intersection of upper wire  201  and lower wire  203 .  
         [0116]     In the device of  FIG. 4 , the vertical pillar  213  where both the mirrors as well as the active layer are formed in a pillar structure is believed to provide better optical confinement than the device of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0117]     Fabrication of the device of  FIG. 4  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5   a  to  5   h.    
         [0118]     In the same manner as the device of  FIG. 2  described in  FIG. 3 , first, a thin layer of photoresist is spun onto the structure as shown in  FIG. 5   a . The photoresist is in the pattern of a narrow first wire  221  connected at either end to contact pads  223  and  225 . The wire has approximately a width of 1 μm.  
         [0119]     The structure is then etched by dry etching and the etch is stopped part-way into the bottom p-type GaAs electrode  11  or the first p-type GaAs layer of the lower DBR  13  ( FIG. 1 ). The etching may also be performed by wet etching techniques providing that the wet etch does not cause a substantial undercut. Once the photoresist is removed, the structure shown in  FIG. 5   b  is obtained which has a narrow wire  227  provided between first  229  and second  231  contact stacks. The wire  221  and first  229  and second  231  contact stacks comprise all the layers shown in  FIG. 1  down to either part of the p-type electrode  11  or the lower p-type GaAs layer of lower DBR  13  depending on the depth of the etch.  
         [0120]     Two further photolithography steps are then performed in order to define n-type and p-type contacts. These have not been shown. However, they are formed in exactly the same way as described with reference to  FIG. 3   c  of the first embodiment and their final position is shown in  FIG. 4 . Next, upper contact layer  23  and lower p-type contact layer  11  are patterned. In  FIG. 5   c , photoresist is provided to mask first wire  227  and part of the n-type contact layer  23  provided on contact pads  229  and  231  to define a pattern for the upper a-type contact layer  23 .  
         [0121]     The photoresist also covers the newly formed p-type contact (not shown) and defines the shape of the p-type contact. Thus, part of the n-type GaAs contact layer  23  is exposed at the edges of contact stacks  229  and  231  and the lower part of either the lower GaAs p-type layer of lower DBR  13  or the p-type electrode layer  11 . The structure is then etched as shown in  FIG. 5   d . The structure is then etched with a selective chemical etch to remove the GaAs using the n-type AlAs layer of upper DBR  21  and etch stop layer  5  as etch stops. Depending on the thickness of photoresist used, this etch may be continued in order to undercut part of upper wire  227 . However, in this case, the etch is used only to define the upper n-type electrode  23  and p-type electrode  11 .  
         [0122]     The patterned n-type electrode layer  241  and p-type electrode layer  243  are indicated in  FIG. 5   e . Patterned n-type electrode layer  241  is recessed away from the edges of upper wire contact stacks  229  and  231 . Patterned p-type electrode layer  243  now lies just in a thin strip bisecting upper contact wire, underneath upper contact wire and underneath upper wire contact stacks  229 ,  231 .  
         [0123]     Next, a thick layer of photoresist is spun and patterned to protect both the top n-type patterned electrode  241  and lower p-type patterns electrode  243 . This layer is thick enough to prevent the n-type electrode  241  and p-type electrode  243  from being undercut during a subsequent etch. The thick photoresist is patterned such that the sides  251  and  253  of contact stacks  229  and  231  are exposed.  
         [0124]     This structure as shown in  FIG. 5   f  is then first etched using a selective etch which selectively removes GaAs. This is shown in  FIG. 5   g . A typical etchant may be C 6 H 8 O 7 :H 2 O 2  etchant. The sides of the contact stacks  229  and  231  are thus attacked by the etch. The etch extends underneath upper contact wire  227  and as the GaAs layers are etched, the etch also starts to penetrate under photoresist  255  which masks part of the underneath of layer  227  due to the removal of layers from contact stacks  229  and  231 .  
         [0125]     The AlAs layers which form the upper and lower DBRs are then removed using a selective etch such as buffered HF as shown in  FIG. 5   h . Again, the etch proceeds to isolate suspended wire  227  and also penetrates from the sides under photoresist layer  255 .  
         [0126]     Once the photoresist is moved, the structure shown in  FIG. 4  is obtained.  
         [0127]     The third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The third embodiment of the present invention closely resembles the second embodiment to avoid unnecessary repetition, like reference numerals will be used to denote like features. The eventual structure will be the same as that shown in  FIG. 4 . However, the photoresist patterns used in order to achieve this structure are varied.  
         [0128]      FIG. 6   a  is intended to be equivalent to the step shown in  FIG. 5   f . The steps described with reference to  FIGS. 5   a  to  5   e  of the second embodiment are identical to those used for the third embodiment. Instead of exposing the edge of sidewalls  251  and  253  to the etch, these are covered with photoresist so that the very edge of these sidewalls is masked. Also, the photoresist extends considerably beyond p-type electrode  243  protecting the edges of sidewalls  251  and  253 . Thus, small areas  271  and  273  of the AlAs upper layer of upper DBR  21  are exposed. These are then etched using either a dry etch or a wet etch which has not caused too much undercutting. The wet etch should be a non-selective etch and the structure is etched down to etch stop layer  5 . The structure shown in  FIG. 6   b  is produced. This structure has larger areas of the sidewalls of the upper and lower DBRs  21 ,  13  exposed which allows more efficient selective lateral etching of the AlAs and GaAs layers. The structure of  FIG. 6  is then processed identically as described with reference to  FIGS. 5   g  and  5   h.    
         [0129]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a lower p-type electrode  11  was described and an optional p-type intracavity contact formed between the lower DBR mirror and the lower cavity layer  15 . The fourth embodiment device utilises this layer.  
         [0130]     As for the first to third embodiments, the device comprises two wires, an upper wire  301  and a lower wire  303  which are used to make contact to an active region  305  located at the intersection of the two wires  301  and  303  and patterned so that it has the width of the upper wire in one dimension and the width of the lower wire in the other dimension. Upper wire  301  comprises an upper n-type electrode contact layer  23  and does not comprise upper DBR  21  ( FIG. 1 ). Upper wire  301  is connected to first and second upper contact stacks  307  and  309 . Lower contact wire  303  comprises upper p-type itracavity contact electrode layer  311  and lower DBR  13 . The wire  303  may also comprise lower p-type contact electrode layer  11 . However, this layer may be omitted from the structure since contact is being made using upper intracavity p-type contact electrode layer  311 . Lower contact region wire  303  is connected to first and second lower contact stacks  313  and  315 .  
         [0131]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The device is very similar in structure to that of  FIG. 7 . Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, like reference numerals will be used to denote like features. The upper contact layer  301  is identical to that described with reference to  FIG. 7 . However, lower contact wire  303  only comprises upper p-type contact layer  311 . Lower DBR  13  is etched from underneath this layer except for the region where upper wire  301  and lower wire  303  intersect.  
         [0132]     The fabrication of the devices of both the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention is very similar and will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   h    
         [0133]     In  FIG. 9   a , a thin layer of photoresist is spun and patterned on the upper layer of the structure of  FIG. 1  (including an upper intracavity p-type electrode layer  311 ) to form a thin wire of photoresist  301   a  bridging a first contact region stack  307   a  and a second contact region stack  309   a.    
         [0134]     The structure of  FIG. 9   a  is then etched down into or stopped on the intracavity p-type GaAs electrode layer  311 . The structure is etched using a dry etching technique or a wet etching technique where there is little undercut. The photoresist is removed to leave wire  301  and contact stacks  307  and  309  connected to wire  301 . Wire  301  and contact stack  307  and  309  comprise all of the layers shown in the structure of  FIG. 1  down to into intracavity p-type electrode layer  311 .  
         [0135]     Next, n-type and p-type contacts are fabricated as described with reference to  FIG. 3   c . The final position of these contacts is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0136]     In  FIG. 9   c , a photoresist layer  321  is formed over the structure of  FIG. 9   b  with contacts. The photoresist layer  321  patterns upper n-type electrode layer  23  such that it is recessed from the inner edges of masks contact regions  323  and  325  on contact stacks  307  and  309  and also upper-wire  301 . The photoresist also masks part of the intracavity electrode layer  311  in order to allow definition of the lower wire  303  of  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0137]     The structure is then etched with a selective GaAs etch such that the upper AlAs DBR layer of the upper DBR  21  and the upper AlAs layer of the lower DBR  13  acts as etch stops. The structure after removing the photoresist is  FIG. 9   d . Alternatively, the structure may be just carefully etched using a non-selective wet etch or a dry etch.  
         [0138]     Once the upper contact layer  23  and the intracavity contact layer  311  have been patterned, a thick layer of photoresist is then formed masking the regions of the upper-n-type contact layer  23  which have just been patterned on contact stacks  307  and  309  and also the patterned intracavity contact  331  as shown in  FIG. 9   e.    
         [0139]     Next, the structure of  FIG. 9   e  is etched using either a dry etch or a non-selective wet etch which does not undercut the photoresist too much in order to pattern the lower DBR  13 . The etch is taken down at its lowest point to isolate lower patterned p-type contact  331 , The resultant structure with the photoresist on is shown in  FIG. 9   f.    
         [0140]     In the step shown in  FIG. 9   g , two separate selective wet chemical etch processes are performed, one to selectively remove the GaAs and the other to selectively remove AlAs. Details of these processes have been previously discussed. The selective etch then undercuts part of upper contact wire  301  to form a freestanding bridge.  
         [0141]     For the device of  FIG. 7 , the structure is finished in step  9   g . However, to fabricate the device of  FIG. 8 , it also necessary to remove the lower DBR from underneath part of the lower patterned contact layer  331 . This may be done by prolonging the selective etch steps explained with reference to  FIG. 9   g . Thus, the lower DBR  13  just remains underneath the intersection of the upper contact wire and lower intracavity layer  331  and underneath the first and second contact stacks  307  and  309  and also underneath the first and second lower wire contact stacks  313  and  315  (not shown in  FIG. 9  but shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ).  
         [0142]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The device again comprise a first upper wire  401  which is arranged perpendicular to a second lower wire  40 . A terraced active region  405  is provided at the intersection of the two wires formed from the lower layers of the upper DBR  21 . The upper wire  401  is connected at either end to first and second upper contact stacks  407  and  409 . The lower wire  403  at either end is connected to first and second lower wire contact stacks  411  and  413 . The upper wire comprises upper contact layer  23  ( FIG. 9 ) and at least one period from upper DBR  21 . The lower wire  403  comprises lower DBR  13  and lower contact layer  11 . At the intersection of the upper wire  401  and the lower wire  403 , the upper DBR  21  is terraced. In the upper wire contact stacks  407  and  409 , the upper DBR is also terraced  
         [0143]     The fabrication of the device of  FIG. 10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11   a  to  11   f . First, photoresist is spun and patterned on to the device in order to define a wire with two contact pads as described with reference to  FIG. 3   a . The resulting structure is then etched using either a dry etch or a wet non-selective etch which does not cause substantial undercutting. The etch is stopped partway into the top n-type DBBR  21  etching upper layers  422  of upper DBR  23 . The etch defines a narrow wire  421  formed of from the upper few layers  42  part of the top of upper n-type DBR  21  and conducting layer  421  n-type electrode layer  23  which is connected at either end to upper wire contacts stacks  423  and  425 .  
         [0144]     Next, a thick layer of photoresist is spun and patterned onto the structure to mask both the top surfaces and the side surfaces of wire  421  and contact stacks  423  and  425 . A second etch is then performed. This second etch is preferably a dry etch or maybe a non-selective wet etch which does not cause substantial undercutting. The second etch extends down midway into the bottom p-type DBR  13 , thus etching the upper layers  424  of lower DBR  13 . The resultant terraced structure is shown in  FIG. 11   c . Here, it can be seen that there is a first upper terrace  431  is formed from upper n-type electrode  423  and upper layers  422  of upper DBR  21 . The first terrace is in the shape of a wire connecting two contact stacks. The second terrace  433  comprises lower layers  426  of upper DBR  21 , the active region  20  and upper layers  424  of lower DBR  13 . The second terrace  433  is in the shape of the first terrace  431 , but the wire  421  is wider in the second terrace then the first terrace and the contact stacks  423  and  425  extend further inwards in the second terrace on the structure between layer  421  and contact stacks  423  and  425  and a second terrace  433  which extends slightly beyond the above terrace.  
         [0145]     Next, p-type and n-type contacts are formed as described with reference to  FIG. 3   c . The position of these contacts can be seen in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0146]     A thick layer of photoresist  441  is then spun over the resulting structure as shown in  FIG. 11   d . The photoresist is patterned so that it protects the whole of the upper terrace  431  and its sides and also the sides  443  and  445  of the second terrace of the contact stacks  423  and  425 . The edges of the wire  421  in the second terrace  433  are left exposed to allow etching of these layers later. The sides of second terrace  433  are exposed to allow the etch to undercut the structure. The photoresist also covers the p-type contact (not shown) and defines the lower p-type wire.  
         [0147]     The resulting structure is then etched using either a non-selective wet etch which does not cause substantial undercutting or is etched by a dry etch. The etch progresses down to isolate bottom p-type DBR  13  and p-type GaAs electrode  11  as shown in  FIG. 11   e . The etch essentially defines a third tier  447 . In the third tier, the sidewalls of the lower layers  426  of lower DBR  13  contact stacks  423  and  425  are exposed and also further side walls of the lower wire and upper wire. The third tier  447  extends beyond second tier  433  and also defines lower wire  451 .  
         [0148]     The structure is then etched using a selective etch to first remove the GaAs and then the remaining AlAs. The results of this etch is shown in  FIG. 11   f . This results in undercutting of complete removal of the third  447  and second  433  terraces which underlie the wire  421  except where the upper wire  421  overlies the lower wire  451  leaving the top terrace of wire  421  suspended above lower wire  451 .  
         [0149]     The second terrace  433  extends partially along lower wire  451  to form terraced region  405  of  FIG. 10  which comprises the active region.  
         [0150]      FIG. 12  schematically illustrates a device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the sixth embodiment, the device has an upper contact wire  501  arranged perpendicular to a lower contact wire  503 . The active region  505  is provided as a narrow pillar at the intersection of these two wires. Upper wire  501  is connected to first and second contact stacks  507  and  509 . Lower wire  503  is connected to first and second lower contact stacks  511  and  513 . Upper wire  501  comprises top contact layer  23  ( FIG. 1 ) and at least one repeat of DBR  21 . Lower contact wire  503  comprises lower contact layer  11  and at least one repeat of lower DBR  13 . The active region  505  is not terraced and lies between the two wires, and comprises part of upper DBR  21 , cavity layers  15  to  19  and part of lower DBR  13 .  
         [0151]     There is no terracing on active region  505  or lower wire  503 . However, a lower terrace is formed in lower DBR  11  of contact stacks  507  and  509 .  
         [0152]     The fabrication of the device of  FIG. 12  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13   a  to  13   e.    
         [0153]     As explained for the previous devices, the first step is to define a thin wire  521  which joins two contact pads  523  and  525  in  FIG. 13   a . This pattern is defined using photolithography and is then etched using either a dry etch or a non-selective wet etch which does not cause substantial undercutting. The etch is stopped partway within the upper n-type DBR  21  etching upper layers  530  of upper DBR  21 .  
         [0154]     The photoresist in  FIG. 13   a  remains after etching and is re-exposed to remove the photoresist from the edges of the contact stacks  523  and  525  as shown in  FIG. 13   b . The structure is then etched using either dry etching or a non-selective wet etch which does not cause too much undercutting such that the bottom of the etch is taken down to within the lower DBR  13  such that the upper layer  526  of lower DBR  13  are etched. Thus, an upper terrace  524  is formed comprising upper n-type electrode  23  and upper layers  530  of upper DBR  21 . The upper terrace is shaped as a wire  521  connecting two contact stacks  523  and  525 . The second terrace  528  comprises two lowest layers  530  of upper DBR  21 , the active region  20  and upper layers  526  of lower DBR  13 . The second terrace  528  has the same shape as first terrace  524  but extends inwards from the contact stacks  523  and  525  which stops within the upper DBR  21 . A lower slightly larger terrace is formed  529  which stops within lower DBR  13 .  
         [0155]     This is shown in  FIG. 13   c . In this figure, it can be seen that terrace defining step in  FIG. 13   b  is further etched to form the third terrace  529  and the first terrace is formed by unmasking regions of the previously unetched structure. This is in contrast to embodiment six where the first terrace is formed and this terrace is completely covered and the structure is etched in order to form the second terrace.  
         [0156]     Next, n-type and p-type contacts are formed as described with reference to  FIG. 3   c . The position of these contacts can be seen in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0157]     Next, the structure is covered with a thick layer of photoresist  541  as shown in  FIG. 13   d . This thick layer of photoresist covers the whole of the first terrace  524  and the sides of the first terrace and also covers the sides of the wire  521  which form part of extends into the second terrace  528 .  
         [0158]     The structure is then etched using either a dry etching system or a non-selective wet etch which does not cause substantially undercutting. The etch proceeds down to either the lowest GaAs layer of the lower DBR  13  or the n-type electrode layer  11 .  
         [0159]     Then, the structure is selectively etched using an etch which attacks GaAs and then an etch which attacks AlAs. This etch undercuts wire  521  to provide the device as shown in  FIG. 13   e . The photoresist is then removed to produce the device of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0160]     In all of the above structures, any exposed sides of the active region or DBR adjoining the active region may be passivated, either by application of a passivation layer or by oxidation as explained with reference to  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   h.    
         [0161]      FIGS. 14   a  to  14   g  schematically illustrate fabrication steps for manufacturing a device in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this device, the active area is formed in a pillar which is surrounded by an insulator allowing a large area contact to be formed to the top of the pillar.  
         [0162]     The basic layer structure of the device is illustrated in  FIG. 14   a . The structure is similar to that of  FIG. 1  having a GaAs buffer layer formed on a semi-insulating substrate  601 . A p-type electrode comprising p-doped Gas  603  is then formed overlying and in contact with said buffer layer and substrate  601 .  
         [0163]     A lower p-doped Bragg mirror  605  is then formed overlying and in contact with said lower p-type electrode  603 . Said p-type Bragg mirror is formed in the same manner and with the same considerations as the lower p-type Bragg mirror  13  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0164]     Intracavity p-type electrode  607  is formed from p-doped GaAs and is formed overlying and in contact with lower Bragg mirror  605 . Intrinsic cavity region  609  is then formed overlying and in contact with said intracavity electrode  607 . The intrinsic cavity region  609  is similar to cavity region  20  of  FIG. 1  and comprises a layer of InAs quantum dots formed between two layers of intrinsic GaAs. For further details of these layers please refer to the explanation accompanying  FIG. 1 .  
         [0165]     Upper n-type Bragg mirror  613  is then formed overlying and in contact with the intrinsic cavity region  609 . Upper n-type Bragg mirror  613  is fabricated in the same manner and with the same considerations as upper Bragg mirror  21  of  FIG. 1 . Finally, the structure is finished with an n-GaAs electrode  515  formed overlying and in contact with upper Bragg mirror  613 . A thin layer of n-InAs may be overgrown (not shown in the figure) for better electrical ohmic contact quality.  
         [0166]     Next, the structure is patterned and etched down to intracavity p-type electrode layer  607  leaving a narrow pillar of layers  617  containing the cavity region  609 . The pillar  617  is formed using either a dry etching technique such as reactive ion etching or a wet etching technique which does not cause undercutting. The pillar is approximately circular in cross section and has a diameter of 1 to 2.5 μm, preferably 2 μm.  
         [0167]     In  FIG. 14   b , the etch is stopped in the intracavity p-type layer  607 , but could also be stopped in the lower Bragg mirror  605  or bottom p-type electrode  603 .  
         [0168]     In  FIG. 14   c  a p-type ohmic contact  619  is formed using a standard lift-off process is made to the intracavity p-type electrode. The contact is formed using a standard p-type metal contact such a AuBe. As before, other alloys maybe used e.g. AuZn.  
         [0169]     In  FIG. 14   d , a thick insulator  621 , e.g. polyimide is deposited and patterned over the pillar  617  of  FIG. 14   c . The thick insulator is thicker than the height of pillar  617  such that pillar  617  is completely submerged in the insulator  621 .  
         [0170]     Insulator  621  left surrounding the pillar  617  is anisotropically etched or recessed by reactive ion etching down to the level of the top of the pillar  617  to expose the top of the pillar.  
         [0171]     Next, a transparent ohmic contact  623  is formed by a lift off process to make contact to the top of the pillar  617  as shown in  FIG. 14   f . The contact  623  is fabricated from indium tin oxide or the like.  
         [0172]     Finally, a large area metal contact  625  is made to transparent contact  623 . The large area contact is kept away from the top of the pillar  617  so that it does not obscure light entering or being emitted from the pillar  617 .  
         [0173]     Other optional steps not explicitly depicted that can improve the device performance may be adopted e.g. an isolation etch into the semi-insulating GaAs substrate such that contact  625  and another large area contact to contact  619  may be made on it. Also the sequence of some of these steps may be interchangeable e.g. the patterning of the thick insulator  621  as shown in  FIGS. 14   d  and  14   e  may be done before the formation of the p-type ohmic contact in  FIG. 14   c.    
         [0174]      FIGS. 15   a  to  15   f  schematically illustrate a variation on the fabrication method of  FIGS. 14   a  to  14   g . Here, a protective layer is provided over the top of pillar  617  during processing in order to protect the top surface of mesa pillar  617 .  
         [0175]     The basic layer store is the same as that described with reference to  FIG. 14   a . Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, like reference numerals will be used to denote like features.  
         [0176]     Please note, that n-GaAs electrode layer  615  is not shown in  FIG. 15 . This layer may be present on top of upper n-type upper Bragg mirror  613  or may be omitted if upper Bragg mirror  613  is configured such that is it possible to make a good ohmic contact to the mirror, for example, if the doping of upper Bragg mirror  613  is sufficient.  
         [0177]     In  FIG. 15   a , a 1 to 2 μm diameter mesa is defined by reactive ion etching. The mesa may be formed in the same way as described with reference to  FIG. 14   b . A protective layer  701  is provided on top of mesa  617 .  
         [0178]     In this particular example, layer  701  is the photoresist initially used to pattern the wafer in order to define mesa  617 . In the fabrication steps described with reference to  FIG. 14 , this photoresist is removed from the top of pillar  617  prior to applying the insulator. In the fabrication method of  FIG. 15 , this photoresist is left on the top of the pillar and is present throughout the whole fabrication.  
         [0179]     The layer  701  does not have to be photoresist an may be a different type of protective layer which is provided on the wafer prior to spinning-on photoresist  701  to define mesa  617 .  
         [0180]     Protective layer  701  is provided in order to protect the surface of pillar  617 . The material may be any type of material which can be easily removed from the top of pillar  617  and which also does not substantially degrade during the processing of the device.  
         [0181]     The etching of pillar mesa  617  extends down into p-type layer  607 . However, the etch may also extend into the lower Bragg mirror  605  if this stack is p-doped.  
         [0182]     A thick insulator  703  is then spun over mesa  617  and protective film  701 . In theory, a relatively thick insulator should provide nearly flat coverage over mesa  617 . However, in reality, this is often not the case due to the relatively high aspect ratio of pillar  617 .  
         [0183]     The insulator  703  is then recessed as shown in  FIG. 15   c  in order to expose the top of mesa  617 . Photoresist layer  701  is then easily removed by an appropriate solvent after recessing has taken place. Thus, the top of pillar  617  is protected during recessing.  
         [0184]     P-type contact  705  and n-type contact  707  are then made to lower p-type layer  607  and the top of mesa  617  respectively. The two contacts  705 ,  707  are Ohmic contacts and are deposited using the standard lift-off technique are annealed into the respective epilayers as shown in  FIG. 15   d . The n-type contact is a transparent contact in order to allow the emission of radiation from the top of the pillar  617 .  
         [0185]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 15   e , an isolation etch is performed on lower p-type layer  607  and lower Bragg mirror  605  to remove these layers down to layer  603 .  
         [0186]     A secondary insulator coat  709  is then provided to the structure in order to fully isolate subsequent metal contacts from lower Bragg mirror  605  as shown in  FIG. 15   f.    
         [0187]     Next, contact metal  711  is provided to both the upper end type contact  707  and the lower p-type contact  705 . The contact metal  711  connecting to the upper n-type contact  707  is shown extending over the isolation etch and secondary isolation  709 . The mesa preferably has a diameter of 2 μm.  
         [0188]     The insulators may be polyimide as described with reference to  FIG. 14 .  
         [0189]     As before the sequence of some of these steps may be interchangeable e.g. the patterning of the thick insulator  703  as shown in  FIG. 15   b  may be done after the formation of the p-type ohmic contact  705  in  FIG. 15   d.    
         [0190]      FIGS. 16   a  to  16   e  show a further variation on the fabrication method of  FIG. 14 . Here, the insulator is applied using evaporation.  
         [0191]     The basic layer structure is almost identical to that described with reference to  FIG. 14   a . Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, like reference numerals will be used denote like features.  
         [0192]     In  FIG. 16   a , photoresist  801  is provided on upper n-type layer  615  and is patterned in the standard way. The photoresist is patterned by well-known techniques to ensure that there is a steep undercut  803  in the photoresist&#39;s profile.  
         [0193]     In  FIG. 16   b , mesa  617  is etched using reactive ion etching into lower p-type layer  607  or into lower Bragg mirror  605 . This forms pillar  617 .  
         [0194]     After this step is completed, the structure is transferred to an evaporator and is mounted so that the top surface of the device faces the evaporation source  805  of  FIG. 16   c.    
         [0195]     The sample is tilted at an angle to the flux from the evaporation source  805 . Depending on the material coverage required, the tilt usually ranges from 5° to 30° measured from a plane perpendicular to the direction of the flux from the evaporation source  805 . During evaporation, the sample is rotated. In this particular example, rotation speeds of 10 to 100 turns per minute are used.  
         [0196]     The insulating material which may be SiO or SiO 2  is deposited and built up on the whole device as shown in  FIG. 16   c . Insulator  807  is provided on layer  607 . Insulator  809  also builds up on top of photoresist  801 . Preferably, a lower base pressure and a slow deposition rate is preferred to produce a good quality uniform film without pin holes. For example, a pressure of &lt;1×10 −6  mbar and &lt;1 nm/s respectively.  
         [0197]      FIG. 16   d  schematically shows a device which has been fully coated with the insulator  807 . The insulator  809  which is built up on the pillar  617  can then be removed by dissolving photoresist  801  using the appropriate solvent, for example, acetone. The solvent seeps into the undercut profile  803  allowing easy removal of the photoresist with minimal damage to the surface of pillar  617  as shown in  FIG. 16   e . Contacts may then be made to the relevant layers as described with reference to either of FIGS.  14  or  15 .  
         [0198]      FIG. 17   a  to  17   d  show photographs of the various fabrication stages described with reference to  FIGS. 16   a  to  16   e . In  FIG. 17   a , an undercut bi-layer photoresist  801  is shown on the surface of a device. The undercut profile  803  is clearly visible,  
         [0199]      FIG. 17   b  shows mesa pillars  617  capped with photoresist  801 . This corresponds to  FIG. 16   b.    
         [0200]     After evaporation at an angle of 20 to 25° as described with reference to  FIG. 16   c  and at 20 rotations per minute, the structure of  FIG. 17   c  is produced where the photoresist  801  can still be seen on top of pillar  617 . Insulator  809  is provided on top of photoresist  801  and insulator  807  is provided on the surface of the sample.  
         [0201]     The photoresist  801  is then dissolved in a suitable solvent which dissolves the photoresist  801  and lifts off the insulator  809  which is adhered to the photoresist this leaving a clean top of pillar  617  surrounded by insulator  807 .

Technology Category: b