Optical receiver method and apparatus

A method for making an optical receiver assembly that can receive optical signals via an input optical fiber and can generate output electrical signals, including the following steps: providing an open-ended cavity formed of insulating material, such as a ceramic, comprising a base, peripheral sidewalls, and an open end opposite the base, the outside surface of the base defining a first surface and the inside surface of the base defining a second surface; disposing a first conductive region on a portion of the first surface and a second conductive region on a portion of the second surface; mounting, on the first surface, a semiconductor photodetector device having an active region for communicating optically with the input optical fiber, and coupling an electrical output of the photodetector device with the first conductive region; mounting, on the second surface, an amplifier that is electrically coupled with the second conductive region and produces the output electrical signals; and providing at least one