LIGHT RECEIVING ELEMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

A light receiving element is obtained by: forming a first mask having a first opening and a second opening; performing etching by using the first mask, to allow the etching to progress at a higher rate in the second opening than in the first opening; forming a second mask having a third opening and a fourth opening; performing etching by using the second mask, to form a mesa in a region interposed by the third opening, and an n-type contact region in the fourth opening; and forming a first electrode on the mesa and a second electrode on the n-type contact region, the first electrode being electrically connected to the third layer, the second electrode being electrically connected to the first layer, wherein a region covered with the first mask and exposed through the fourth opening of the second mask turns into the n-type contact region after the etching using the second mask.