Abstract: A method for decreasing the diffusion of dopant atoms in the active region, as well as the interdiffusion of different types of dopant atoms among adjacent doped regions, of optoelectronic devices is disclosed. The method of the present invention employs a plurality of InAlAs and/or InGaAlAs layers to avoid the direct contact between the dopant atoms and the active region, and between the dopant atoms in adjacent blocking structures of optoelectronic devices. A semi-insulating buried ridge structure, as well as a ridge structure, in which the interdiffusion of different types of dopant atoms is suppressed are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor optical device and method of fabrication where the device includes an active region with an active layer having a first index of refraction, and a blocking region having a second, lower index of refraction. A semiconductor layer having an index of refraction higher than the blocking region formed over both the active and blocking regions so that the layer is in closer proximity to the active layer in areas not covered by the blocking region so as to decrease the difference between the effective index of refraction in the active region and the effective refractive index of the blocking region. Such devices are particularly useful for pumping optical amplifiers since greater power can be achieved while maintaining single mode emission.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optoelectronic device, a method of manufacture thereof, and an optical communication system including the same. The optoelectronic device may include, in one particular embodiment, an active device located over a substrate and a passive device located proximate the active device and over the substrate. The optoelectronic device may further include a doped cladding layer located over the active and passive devices and a barrier layer located over the doped cladding layer and the passive device.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor optical device and method of fabrication where the device includes an active region with an active layer having a first index of refraction, and a blocking region having a second, lower index of refraction. A semiconductor layer having an index of refraction higher than the blocking region is formed over both the active and blocking regions so that the semiconductor layer is in closer proximity to the active layer in areas not covered by the blocking region so as to decrease the difference between the effective index of refraction in the active region and the effective refractive index of the blocking region. Such devices are particularly useful for pumping optical amplifiers since greater power can be achieved while maintaining single mode emission.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optoelectronic device and a method of manufacture thereof. In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing the optoelectronic device may include creating a multilayered optical substrate and then forming a self aligned dual mask over the multilayered optical substrate. The method may further include etching the multilayered optical substrate through the self aligned dual mask to form a mesa structure.

Abstract: A beam expander for providing coupling between a semiconductor optical device and an optical fiber comprises a double layer structure that may be integrated with the optical device. The first, underlying layer of the expander comprises a relatively high refractive index material (e.g., 3.34), thus providing improved coupling efficiency between the optical device and the fiber. The second, covering layer of the expander comprises a relatively low refractive index material (e.g., 3.28), for providing the large mode size desired at the fiber input. The parameters of each layer can be adjusted independently, allowing for the two criteria (coupling efficiency and mode size) to be separately optimized.

Abstract: A mesa stripe buried heterostructure semiconductor laser with no intediffusion of atoms between doped regions and a method of its formation are disclosed. A double dielectric mask is used to form the mesa stripe. The first mask is then partially etched and a Si-doped InP layer is selectively grown. The first and second mask are subsequently etched away and an InP(Zn) clad layer, along with a Zn-doped InGaAs contact layer, are formed. This way, the resulting structure has no contact between the InP(Zn) clad layer and the InP(Fe) layer, and the dopant atoms interdiffusion is suppressed.

Abstract: A beam expander for providing coupling between a semiconductor optical device and an optical fiber comprises a double layer structure that may be integrated with the optical device. The first, underlying layer of the expander comprises a relatively high refractive index material (e.g., 3.34), thus providing improved coupling efficiency between the optical device and the fiber. The second, covering layer of the expander comprises a relatively low refractive index material (e.g., 3.28), for providing the large mode size desired at the fiber input. The parameters of each layer can be adjusted independently, allowing for the two criteria (coupling efficiency and mode size) to be separately optimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monolithic integration of multiple devices on an optoelectronic substrate. The method, in a preferred embodiment, includes forming an active layer having a given wavelength over a substrate. The method further includes forming an N-type doped layer over a portion of the active layer to form first and second active regions within the active layer, the first active region having the given wavelength and the second active region having an altered wavelength different from the given wavelength. In one exemplary embodiment, the conditions used to form the N-type doped layer, for example, dopant concentration, growth rate and temperature, cause the difference in wavelength between the given wavelength and the altered wavelength.

Abstract: A diffusion preventing barrier spike is disclosed. The spike prevents diffusion of dopants into another layer without forming a pn junction in the layer. The spikes are illustratively Al or an aluminum containing material such as AlAs and have a thickness on the order of 1 nm. The spikes of the present invention may be used to stop dopant diffusion out of a doped layer in a variety of III-V semiconductor structures, such a InP-based PIN devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device having superior qualities. The electronic device includes an active region located over a substrate and an undoped layer located over the active region, the undoped layer having a barrier region including aluminum located thereover. The electronic device further includes a doped upper cladding layer located over the barrier region. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the barrier region is a barrier layer or a number of barrier layers located between a plurality of the undoped layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor waveguide device and method for forming the same provide an InAlAs film as an etch stop layer. The InAlAs film does not etch in the CH4/H2 etch chemistry used to produce the device using reactive ion etching techniques. The etching process etches the waveguide layer and cladding layer or layers formed above the InAlAs layer, and exposes the InAlAs etch stop film to produce a waveguide device having desired physical characteristics.

Abstract: Optical semiconductor light guide device having a low divergence emergent beam, application to Fabry-Perot and distributed feedback lasers. According to the invention, the core of the guide of the device comprises at least one semiconductor layer (8), whose refractive index is higher than that of each of the confinement or cladding layers (4, 6) of the guide and at least one second semiconductor layer (10), whose refractive index is lower than that of each of the confinement or cladding layers or close thereto. Application to optical telecommunications.

Abstract: An integrated monolithic laser-modulator component having a multiple quantum well structure. This component includes an InP substrate, a laser (L) formed from a stack of semiconductor layers epitaxied on the substrate, including an active and absorbent layer and a periodic Bragg grating fixing the emission wavelength of the laser to a value slightly above an optimum wavelength of the laser gain peak. An electrooptical modulator (M) is formed from the same stack of semiconductor layers, with the exception of the Bragg grating, the active layer of the laser and the absorbing layer of the modulator being formed by the same epitaxied structure having several constrained or unconstrained quantum wells, the modulator functioning according to a confined Stark effect. The semiconductor layers of the laser and those of the modulator are electrically controlled.