Patent ID: 8855156

Claim:
A distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode having a lateral coupling, comprising: at least one semiconductor substrate; at least one active layer that is arranged on the semiconductor substrate, wherein a cross section of the at least one ridge is tapered in the direction of at least one laser mirror, wherein a width of the at least one ridge is tapered in the direction of both laser mirrors, and wherein the tapering of the width of the at least one ridge in the direction of both laser mirrors is asymmetrical with respect to a longitudinal and/or a lateral direction; at least one ridge that is arranged above the active layer; at least one periodic surface structure that is arranged above the active layer next to the at least one ridge, wherein the periodic surface structure is applied to an upper cladding layer that remains after an etching process; and at least one wave guide layer that is arranged below and above the active layer, wherein a lower wave guide layer of the at least one wave guide layer comprises a thickness in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm.