Patent ID: 7180925
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor laser device in which a plurality of semiconductor lasers are juxtaposed on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor lasers each comprising: an active layer; a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer arranged on both sides of the active layer; and a contact layer located on the second cladding layer, wherein part of the second cladding layer and the contact layer constitutes a ridge portion, and the semiconductor laser device comprising: a light confinement layer, which is provided in a region other than an upper surface of the ridge portion of each of the second cladding layers and has a refractive index different from that of the second cladding layers; and a dielectric film provided on the light confinement layer, wherein the light confinement layer is sufficiently thin such that it does not function as a current constriction layer, wherein side surfaces of the contact layer and the part of the second cladding constituting the ridge portion are covered with the light confinement layer and the dielectric film, and wherein the light confinement layer is substantially flat.