Semiconductor laser device, method for manufacturing the same, and optical pickup device using the same

An optical pickup device, comprising:

• a semiconductor laser device, including an active layer formed on a substrate, two cladding layers formed on opposite surfaces of the active layer, and a mesa-shaped ridge formed by one of the cladding layers, wherein the ridge forms a waveguide region diverging into at least two branches;
• and
• a light receiving section for receiving reflected light outputted from the semiconductor laser device and reflected off a recording medium.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor laser device, comprising:

• a deposition step of depositing a first cladding layer, an active layer and a second cladding layer in this order on a substrate using a predetermined material for each layer;
• and
• a ridge formation step of patterning the materials deposited on the substrate and then etching the second cladding layer, thereby forming a ridge having a waveguide region diverging into at least two branches.