Patent ID: 8329524

Claim:
A method for producing a surface emitting laser including a substrate and a laminate disposed on the substrate, the laminate including a lower multilayer mirror, an active layer, and an upper multilayer mirror, the method comprising the steps of: forming a second oxidizable layer in the laminate; forming a first oxidizable layer in the laminate and above the second oxidizable layer; forming a first trench structure so as to extend from the top surface of the upper multilayer mirror, to reach at least the top surface of the first oxidizable layer, and not to reach the top surface of the second oxidizable layer; forming a first current confinement layer including a first electrically conductive region and a first insulating region by oxidizing the first oxidizable layer from a sidewall of the first oxidizable layer, the sidewall being exposed in the first trench structure; forming a second trench structure so as to extend from the top surface of the upper multilayer mirror to reach at least the top surface of the second oxidizable layer; and forming a second current confinement layer including a second electrically conductive region and a second insulating region by oxidizing the second oxidizable layer from a sidewall of the second oxidizable layer, the sidewall being exposed in the second trench structure.