Enhancement of carrier concentration in As-containing contact layers

A method for cooling an MOVPE deposited, As-containing, P-type contact layer includes cooling the contact layer in an arsine environment to preserve the contact layer during the initial stages of the cooling process until a threshold temperature in the range of 560 to 580° C. is attained. During the cooling process, the arsine flow is reduced with respect to the arsine flow used during the MOVPE deposition. After the threshold temperature is attained, the arsine gas is withdrawn and the contact layer is cooled further. Because of the removal of the arsine gas at the threshold temperature, free carrier concentration within the contact layer is enhanced above the atomic concentration of the P-type dopant, and contact resistance is improved to a suitably low level. A semiconductor optoelectronic device is formed to include such a contact layer, the P-type dopant impurity present in an atomic concentration and the contact layer having a free carrier concentration being greater than the atomic concentration.