Abstract: Disclosed is an avalanche photodiode wherein a light absorption layer and a multiplication layer are first grown on substrate. The multiplication layer is then mesa-etched and another semiconductor layer is second grown on the mesa-etched multiplication layer. A dopant having a conductivity opposite to that of the above layers is introduced from the top of the another semiconductor layer to form a doped region extending inside the mesa portion and p-n junction is therefore formed inside the mesa-etched portion. This causes the distribution of multiplication in the active area to become uniform, since the rough surface of the top of the mesa-etched portion exists outside the multiplication region.