Abstract: Disclosed is a photo-detective semiconductor device having, on a predetermined semiconductor substrate, at least a first semiconductor layer which exhibits a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer which is disposed on said first semiconductor layer, which has a forbidden band gap greater than that of said first semiconductor layer and which exhibits the first conductivity type, and a p-n junction which is formed by a region disposed in said second semiconductor layer and exhibiting a second conductivity type; characterized by comprising a third semiconductor layer which is disposed on said second semiconductor layer, which exhibits the first conductivity type and which has a surface protective function. The third semiconductor layer is usually made of a group III-V compound semiconductor of a quaternary system.