A fabrication sequence for an oxide-confined VCSEL includes the deposition of a protective coating over exposed horizontal surfaces to prevent unwanted oxide layers from being formed during the lateral oxidation process used to create the oxide aperture. By preventing the oxidation of these surfaces in the first instance, the opportunity for moisture to gain access to the active region of the VCSEL is eliminated. For example, exposed Al-containing surfaces are covered with a protective coating of dielectric material prior to initiating the conventional lateral oxidation process used to form the oxide aperture of the VCSEL. With the protective coating in place, a conventional fabrication process is resumed, and the protective coating ultimately forms part of the passivation layer used to provide electrical isolation for the final VCSEL device.

An edge emitting semiconductor laser and a method for operating an edge emitting semiconductor laser are disclosed. In an embodiment an edge-emitting semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor layer sequence having an active zone configured to generate laser radiation from the material system AlInGaAs, a facet on the semiconductor layer sequence configured to couple-out and/or reflect the laser radiation and a protective layer sequence directly on the facet protecting the facet from damage, the protective layer sequence including a monocrystalline starting layer of a group 12 group 16 material, an intermediate layer of Si and at least one finishing layer consisting essentially of Al, Si and/or Ta and of O and optionally of N, so that the finishing layer is of a different material system than the starting layer and the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is oxidized on a side facing the finishing layer, and wherein the protective layer is arranged in a direction away from the semiconductor layer sequence in the indicated order.

A quantum cascade laser including: a laser structure having a first region including a first facet, a second region including a second facet, an epitaxial surface, and a substrate surface; an insulating film disposed on the second facet and the epitaxial surface; an electrode disposed on the epitaxial surface and the insulating film and in contact with the epitaxial surface; and a metal film disposed over the second facet and the epitaxial surface and separated from the electrode and the substrate surface. The insulating film is disposed between the metal film and the second facet and between the metal film and the epitaxial surface. The second region includes a semiconductor mesa. The second facet is located at a boundary between the first region and the second region. The first region includes a connecting surface. The connecting surface connects the second facet to the first facet.

A hybrid semiconductor laser component comprising at least one first emitting module comprising an active zone shaped to emit electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength; and an optical layer comprising at least one first waveguide optically coupled with the active zone, the waveguide forming with the active zone an optical cavity resonating at the given wavelength. The hybrid semiconductor laser component also comprises a heat-dissipating semiconductor layer, the heat-dissipating semiconductor layer being in thermal contact with the first emitting module on a surface of the first emitting module that is opposite the optical layer. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid semiconductor laser component.

A semiconductor laser element that includes a semiconductor layer including a waveguide formed in an intra-layer direction of the semiconductor layer and a window region formed in a front-side end face of the waveguide, has a current-laser optical output characteristic in which, at an operating temperature of 25° C. ±3° C., a laser optical output has a maximum value at a first driving current value and the laser optical output is at most 20% of the maximum value at a second driving current value greater than the first driving current value, and is not damaged at the second driving current value.

A semiconductor laser diode is disclosed. In an embodiment a semiconductor laser diode includes a semiconductor layer sequence including an active layer having a main extension plane, configured to generate light in an active region during operation and configured to radiate the light via a light-outcoupling surface, wherein the active region extends from a rear surface opposite the light-outcoupling surface to the light-outcoupling surface along a longitudinal direction in the main extension plane and a continuous contact structure directly disposed on a surface of the semiconductor layer sequence, wherein the contact structure comprises in at least a first contact region a first electrical contact material in direct contact with the surface region and in at least a second contact region a second electrical contact material in direct contact with the surface region, and wherein the first and second contact regions adjoin one another.

A laser diode includes a semiconductor body having a substrate and a semiconductor layer sequence arranged on the substrate, which includes an active zone that generates electromagnetic radiation, wherein the semiconductor body has a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface and at least one first and second laser facet, which are respectively arranged transversely to the first and second main surfaces, and at least one structured facet region located at a transition between the first main surface and at least one of the first and second laser facets, and the structured facet region includes at least a strained compensation layer or a recess.

A semiconductor laser device includes an optical waveguide that extends toward a first end of the semiconductor laser device. The optical waveguide includes a first clad layer, an active layer, a second clad layer, and an electrode layer in this order. A reflecting surface, which has a dielectric film and a metal film in this order from the active layer, crosses the active layer at a second end of the optical waveguide.

In an embodiment, a device includes: a first reflective structure including first doped layers of a semiconductive material, alternating ones of the first doped layers being doped with a p-type dopant; a second reflective structure including second doped layers of the semiconductive material, alternating ones of the second doped layers being doped with a n-type dopant; an emitting semiconductor region disposed between the first reflective structure and the second reflective structure; a contact pad on the second reflective structure, a work function of the contact pad being less than a work function of the second reflective structure; a bonding layer on the contact pad, a work function of the bonding layer being greater than the work function of the second reflective structure; and a conductive connector on the bonding layer.

A quantum cascade laser includes a laser structure having an output face for emitting laser light in a first direction; and a lens having an entrance surface and a convex surface, the entrance surface receiving the laser light from the output face, and the convex surface emitting the laser light after being condensed by the lens. The laser structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a mesa waveguide provided on a first region of a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, the mesa waveguide extending in the first direction. The lens includes a semiconductor and is provided on a second region of the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first region and the second region are arranged in the first direction.