A standard CMOS process is modified to fabricate optical, optoelectronic
and electronic devices at the same time on a monolithic integrated
circuit. A polysilicon strip loaded waveguide is used as an example to
illustrate the invention. The waveguide has a three layer core made of a
polysilicon strip on a silicon slab with a silicon dioxide layer between
the strip and the slab. In a standard CMOS process, a layer of metallic
salicide is deposited for metallic contacts for electronic components,
such as transistors. In the present invention, prior to the deposition of
the salicide, a salicide blocking layer is selectively deposited for
protecting silicon waveguide against damages. The salicide blocking layer
is used as one layer of the cladding of a silicon waveguide.