ASYMMETRIC WAVEGUIDE LASER DIODE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser diode of which operating current is reduced with being enhanced its light emitting efficiency by decreasing optical loss due to absorption of free charges at a p-cladding layer. SOLUTION: The laser diode has a structure in which refractive index of a p-cladding layer on a second surface of an active layer is smaller than that of an n-cladding layer 50 on a first surface of an active layer. This asymmetric waveguide structure reduces absorption of free charges at the p-cladding layer by controlling field expansion to the p-cladding layer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI