A laser diode having a semiconductor layer sequence based on a nitride compound semiconductor material includes an n-type cladding layer, a first waveguide layer, a second waveguide layer and an active layer, and a p-type cladding layer including a first partial layer and a second partial layer, wherein the first partial layer includes Al.sub.x1Ga.sub.1-x1N with 0x11 or Al.sub.x1In.sub.y1Ga.sub.1-x1-y1N with 0x11, 0y1<1 and x1+y11, the aluminum content x1 decreases in a direction pointing away from the active layer so that the aluminum content has a maximum value x1.sub.max and a minimum value x1.sub.minx1.sub.max, and the second partial layer includes Al.sub.x2Ga.sub.1-x2N with 0x2x1.sub.min or Al.sub.x2In.sub.y2Ga.sub.1-x2-y2N with 0x2x1.sub.min, 0y2<1 and x2+y21.

A device comprising a semiconductor layer including a plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions is provided. The difference between an average band gap for the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions and an average band gap for a remaining portion of the semiconductor layer can be at least thermal energy. Additionally, a characteristic size of the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions can be smaller than an inverse of a dislocation density for the semiconductor layer.

A device comprising a semiconductor layer including a plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions is provided. The difference between an average band gap for the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions and an average band gap for a remaining portion of the semiconductor layer can be at least thermal energy. Additionally, a characteristic size of the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions can be smaller than an inverse of a dislocation density for the semiconductor layer.

A heterostructure, such as a group III nitride heterostructure, for use in an optoelectronic device is described. The heterostructure can include a sacrificial layer, which is located on a substrate structure. The sacrificial layer can be at least partially decomposed using a laser. The substrate structure can be completely removed from the heterostructure or remain attached thereto. One or more additional solutions for detaching the substrate structure from the heterostructure can be utilized. The heterostructure can undergo additional processing to form the optoelectronic device.

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layered structure including an active layer, a first region including a part of the active layer and extending in a layered direction, a second region including at least a part of an end portion of the active layer and extending in the layered direction, disordering of the second region being higher than the first region, and a third region including a portion of the active layer between the first region and the second region and extending in the layered direction, disordering of the third region being higher than the first region and lower than the second region; and an electrode configured to inject an electric current to the active layer.

A device comprising a semiconductor layer including a plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions is provided. The difference between an average band gap for the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions and an average band gap for a remaining portion of the semiconductor layer can be at least thermal energy. Additionally, a characteristic size of the plurality of compositional inhomogeneous regions can be smaller than an inverse of a dislocation density for the semiconductor layer.

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layered structure including an active layer, a first region including a part of the active layer and extending in a layered direction, a second region including at least a part of an end portion of the active layer and extending in the layered direction, disordering of the second region being higher than the first region, and a third region including a portion of the active layer between the first region and the second region and extending in the layered direction, disordering of the third region being higher than the first region and lower than the second region; and an electrode configured to inject an electric current to the active layer.