The optical semiconductor apparatus includes, on an n-GaAs substrate, a surface-emitting
semiconductor laser device and a photodiode integrated on the periphery of the
laser device with an isolation region interposed there between. The laser device
is composed of an n-DBR mirror, an active region, and a p-DBR mirror and includes
a columnar layered structure with its sidewall covered with an insulating film.
The photodiode is formed on the substrate and has a circular layered structure
wherein an i-GaAs layer and a p-GaAs layer surrounds the laser device with an isolating
region interposed between the i-GaAs and p-GaAs layers and the laser device. The
diameter of the photodiode is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core
optically coupled with the optical semiconductor apparatus. Since the laser device
and the photodiode are monolithically integrated, the devices do not require optical
alignment, and thus, facilitate optical coupling with an optical fiber.