Abstract: An apparatus includes a first semiconductor layer including a first bandgap; and a second semiconductor layer of a first polarity including a second bandgap smaller than the first bandgap and formed over the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes a first conductive region of the first polarity, a second conductive region of a second polarity, and a non-conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, and the second semiconductor layer is in contact with the first conductive region and the non-conductive region.

Abstract: A photodetector has a substrate, a light input layer formed as a first semiconductor over the substrate, the first semiconductor being transparent to a wavelength being used, and a light absorption layer formed as a second semiconductor on the light input layer, the second semiconductor having a bandgap smaller than that of the first semiconductor. The light absorption layer has a first region doped with a first conductivity-type impurity, a second region doped with a second conductive-type impurity different from the first conductive-type impurity, and an undoped region between the first region and the second region. The first region, the undoped region and the second region are arranged in a direction parallel to the substrate. The light absorption layer has a region having an effective refractive index higher than the rest of the light absorption layer between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A disclosed semiconductor photodetector includes a first semiconductor layer having a first refractive index and a first band gap; a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer having a second refractive index and a second band gap; a first electrode; and a second electrode. The second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index, and the second band gap is smaller than the first band gap. The first semiconductor layer includes a p-type first region, an n-type second region, and a non-conductive third region between the first region and the second region. The second semiconductor layer includes a p-type fourth region in ohmic contact with the first electrode, an n-type fifth region in ohmic contact with the second electrode, and a non-conductive sixth region between the fourth region and the fifth region.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device including an optical waveguide; a light absorbing region coupled to the optical waveguide; a first conductive region and a second conductive region disposed at both sides of the light absorbing region so as to sandwich the light absorbing region; and a conductor coupled to the first conductive region and the second conductive region to let the first conductive region and the second conductive region short-circuit. With this configuration, the optical semiconductor device provides effects that absorption saturation is less likely to occur even if the light intensity increases, so that reflection return light can be reliably suppressed without using an external power source.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device including an optical waveguide; a light absorbing region coupled to the optical waveguide; a first conductive region and a second conductive region disposed at both sides of the light absorbing region so as to sandwich the light absorbing region; and a conductor coupled to the first conductive region and the second conductive region to let the first conductive region and the second conductive region short-circuit. With this configuration, the optical semiconductor device provides effects that absorption saturation less occurs even if the light intensity increases, so that reflection return light can be reliably suppressed without using an external power source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first semiconductor layer including a first bandgap; and a second semiconductor layer of a first polarity including a second bandgap smaller than the first bandgap and formed over the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes a first conductive region of the first polarity, a second conductive region of a second polarity, and a non-conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, and the second semiconductor layer is in contact with the first conductive region and the non-conductive region.

Abstract: A disclosed optical semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer having a first refractive index and a first optical absorption coefficient; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer having a second refractive index and a second optical absorption coefficient. The second refractive index is larger than the first refractive index, and the second optical absorption coefficient is larger than the first optical absorption coefficient. The first semiconductor layer includes a first region of p-type, a second region of n-type, a third region of p-type or n-type between the first region and the second region, a fourth region of i-type between the first region and the third region, and a fifth region of i-type between the second region and the third region. The second semiconductor layer is formed on the first region, the fourth region, and the third region.

Abstract: A disclosed optical semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer having a first refractive index and a first optical absorption coefficient; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer having a second refractive index and a second optical absorption coefficient. The second refractive index is larger than the first refractive index, and the second optical absorption coefficient is larger than the first optical absorption coefficient. The first semiconductor layer includes a first region of p-type, a second region of n-type, a third region of p-type or n-type between the first region and the second region, a fourth region of i-type between the first region and the third region, and a fifth region of i-type between the second region and the third region. The second semiconductor layer is formed on the first region, the fourth region, and the third region.

Abstract: A semiconductor light receiving device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fine line waveguide provided on the substrate, and a light receiving circuit that is provided on the substrate and that absorbs light propagating through the semiconductor fine line waveguide. The light receiving circuit includes a p type first semiconductor layer, a number of second semiconductor mesa structures provided on the p type first semiconductor layer in such a manner that an n type second semiconductor layer is provided on top of an i type second semiconductor layer, a p side electrode connected to the p type first semiconductor layer in a location between the second semiconductor mesa structures, and an n side electrode connected to the n type second semiconductor layer. The refractive index and the optical absorption coefficient of the second semiconductor layers are greater than the refractive index and the optical absorption coefficient of the first semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor light receiving device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fine line waveguide provided on the substrate, and a light receiving circuit that is provided on the substrate and that absorbs light propagating through the semiconductor fine line waveguide. The light receiving circuit includes a p type first semiconductor layer, a number of second semiconductor mesa structures provided on the p type first semiconductor layer in such a manner that an n type second semiconductor layer is provided on top of an i type second semiconductor layer, a p side electrode connected to the p type first semiconductor layer in a location between the second semiconductor mesa structures, and an n side electrode connected to the n type second semiconductor layer. The refractive index and the optical absorption coefficient of the second semiconductor layers are greater than the refractive index and the optical absorption coefficient of the first semiconductor layer.