Abstract: A heterostructure laser is provided comprising an epitaxially grown substrate of first dopant type, an active region and layer of second dopant type, a narrow mesa having less than 20% open area and a side wall slope of less than 85 degrees, wherein said narrow mesa is etched through the active region and layer of second dopant type using in-situ MOCVD, a plurality of current blocking layers, an overclad layer and a contact layer of second dopant type, and an isolation mesa incorporating the narrow mesa, wherein the isolation mesa is etched through the active region, layer of second dopant type and plurality of current blocking layers and wherein the plurality of current blocking layers is grown without exposure to oxygen.