Semiconductor substrate for an optical transmitter apparatus and method

(canceled)

(canceled)

A method comprising:

• providing a semiconductor substrate having one or more optical alignment features formed in a surface the semiconductor substrate;
• and
• coupling an optical receiver assembly including a photodetector device to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the one or more optical alignment features facilitate precise optical alignment between a lens assembly and the photodetector device when the lens assembly is coupled with the semiconductor substrate using the one or more optical alignment features.

(canceled)

A semiconductor substrate comprising:

• one or more optical alignment features formed into a surface of the semiconductor substrate;
• and
• one or more hard stop structures formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, the one or more hard stop structures having a height from the surface of the semiconductor surface that provides precise positioning of a photodetector device relative to the semiconductor substrate in a vertical direction when the photodetector device is mounted on the semiconductor substrate and structurally supported by the one or more hard stop structures, the vertical direction being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the one or more optical alignment features facilitate precise optical alignment between a lens assembly and the photodetector device when the lens assembly is coupled with the semiconductor substrate using the one or more optical alignment features.

(canceled)