Patent ID: 8675704

Claim:
A diode laser, comprising: a passive pedestal layer structure, wherein the passive pedestal layer structure comprises: a passive waveguide layer; a cladding layer coupled optically to the passive waveguide layer; a spoiler layer coupled to the cladding layer; a sub-graded index (GRIN) layer coupled to the spoiler layer; and a substrate layer coupled to the sub-GRIN layer; an active ridge layer structure positioned over the passive pedestal layer structure; a p-contact metal contacting a top side of the active ridge layer structure; a first n-contact metal disposed on a first side of the active ridge layer structure; a second n-contact metal disposed on a second side of the active ridge layer structure; and an n-final-metal layer connecting the first n-contact metal and the second n-contact metal, wherein the n-final-metal layer is continuous over the active ridge layer structure.