Patent ID: 8130804

Claim:
A laser diode comprising: a group of three or more strip-like ridge sections in parallel with each other with strip-like trenches in between them, each strip-like ridge section including at least a lower cladding layer, an active layer, and an upper cladding layer in this order, the outer ridge sections of the group being a first ridge section and a second ridge section; respective upper electrodes on top surfaces of the first ridge section and each ridge section between the first ridge section and the second ridge section, each upper electrode being electrically connected to the upper cladding layer of its respective ridge section; a wiring layer electrically connected to the upper electrode of the first ridge section and extending in the air over each trench between the first and second ridge sections; a pad electrode in a region over the second ridge section, the pad electrode being electrically connected through the wiring layer to the upper electrode on the first ridge section; and an insulating film on the upper electrode of a ridge section between the first and second ridge sections, the insulating film completely insulating the upper electrode on which it is located from the wiring layer, said insulating film not being formed in the trenches and having no opening.