Patent ID: 7843982

Claim:
A semiconductor laser structure, comprising: a substrate; a first cladding layer formed over said substrate, said first cladding layer being substantially free of nitrogen; a first waveguiding layer formed over and in physical contact with said first cladding layer, said first waveguiding layer being substantially free of nitrogen; a first spacing layer formed over and in physical contact with said first waveguiding layer, said first spacing layer containing nitrogen; a multiple quantum well active layer disposed in a first plane formed over and in physical contact with said first spacing layer, said multiple quantum well active layer comprised of a nitride of indium, gallium, and arsenide (InGaAsN), said active layer comprising: a first region having a first hydrogen concentration and thereby a first bandgap energy; a second region having a second hydrogen concentration and thereby a second bandgap energy, the first hydrogen concentration and first bandgap energy being greater than the second hydrogen concentration and second bandgap energy, respectively; and first and second lateral edges extending in edge planes which are each perpendicular to said first plane, said first region proximate each said lateral edge and said second region proximate a midpoint in said first plane between said lateral edges; a second spacing layer formed over and in physical contact with said multiple quantum well active layer, said second spacing layer containing nitrogen; a second waveguiding layer formed over and in physical contact with said second spacing layer, said second waveguiding layer being substantially free of nitrogen; a second cladding layer formed over and in physical contact with said second waveguiding layer, said second cladding layer being substantially free of nitrogen; and wherein said semiconductor laser structure emits light from at least said first lateral edge.