Patent ID: 7903713

Claim:
An edge-emitting multi-beam semiconductor laser comprising juxtaposed stripe-shaped light-emitting portions the number of which is N, wherein, N≧3; each of the light-emitting portions includes (a) a first compound semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, (b) an active layer disposed on the first compound semiconductor layer, (c) a second compound semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, the second compound semiconductor layer being disposed on the active layer, (d) a first electrode that is electrically connected to the first compound semiconductor layer, (e) a second electrode disposed on the second compound semiconductor layer, and (f) a second-electrode-extending portion extending from the second electrode; the first electrode in the light-emitting portions, the number of which is N, is commonly provided to the light-emitting portions, the number of which is N; at least one separation groove that electrically separates the light-emitting portions from each other is provided between the light-emitting portions; a first recess that is partly discontinuous is provided outside a first light-emitting portion; a second recess that is partly discontinuous is provided outside an Nth light-emitting portion; the second-electrode-extending portion in the first light-emitting portion extends to a first region disposed outside the first light-emitting portion with a continuous portion of the first recess therebetween; the second-electrode-extending portion in the Nth light-emitting portion extends to a second region disposed outside the Nth light-emitting portion with a continuous portion of the second recess therebetween; and the second-electrode-extending portion in an nth light-emitting portion (wherein 2≦n≦(N−1)) extends to the first region disposed outside the first light-emitting portion with a continuous portion of one of the at least one discontinuous separation groove and a continuous portion of the first recess therebetween or extends to the second region disposed outside the Nth light-emitting portion with a continuous portion of one of the at least one discontinuous separation groove and a continuous portion of the second recess therebetween.