Patent ID: 6140142
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A method for producing a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of:depositing, in this order, a lower cladding layer having a first conductivity type, an active layer, an upper cladding structure having a second conductivity type, and a cap layer having the second conductivity type on a semiconductor substrate having the first conductivity type;forming a stripe-shaped first etching protection film on the cap layer, the stripe-shaped first etching protection film functioning as a mask;forming a ridge in the upper cladding structure by etching away regions of the cap layer and the upper cladding structure which are not substantially covered by the mask, the ridge having an upper face having a width smaller than a width of a lower face of the cap layer;forming a current blocking layer having the first conductivity type and a protection layer so that the current blocking layer and the protection layer substantially cover the cap layer and side faces of the ridge;forming a second etching protection film in regions other than a uppermost portion of the protection layer projecting upward above the cap layer; andremoving a portion of the protection layer and the current blocking layer that is formed above the cap layer.