Abstract: A buried heterostructure (BH) laser source with a narrow active region is disclosed for use in close proximity with optically-addressed data storage media for read/write functionality in a relatively high data density format. The BH laser source is formed on a pregrooved or prepatterned substrate to form mesas upon which epitaxial layers are formed to form laser source active regions that have small emission apertures at the laser source facet output. Selective removal of semiconductor cladding material and replacement of this material with lower refractive index materials provides a way of obtaining further mode size-reduction at the output facet of the laser source. Each mesa has a top surface and adjacent sidewalls such that in the growth of the epitaxial layers above the active region doped with a first conductivity type, the above active region epitaxial layers depositing on the top surface deposit as a first conductivity type and depositing on said sidewalls deposit as a second conductivity type.

Abstract: A optical medium, such as an angled distributed reflector, e.g., an angular grating, or .alpha.-DFB laser diode or a waveguide wavelength selective filter, has a mean optical axis defining an optical cavity for substantially confined light propagation within the device. An angular grating is provided in at least a portion of the optical cavity forming a grating region permitting light to propagate along the optical cavity in two coupled waves or modes incident along the angular grating, a first incident propagating wave substantially parallel with respect to the mean optical axis and a second incident propagating wave at an angle with respect to the mean optical axis.