Semiconductor laser manufacturing method

A semiconductor laser manufacturing method for manufacturing a semiconductor laser by forming a dielectric film on a semiconductor laminated structure using a sputtering apparatus, the method comprising:

• a first step of placing the semiconductor laminated structure in the sputtering apparatus;
• a second step of introducing a first process gas containing a first reactive gas and an inert gas into the sputtering apparatus, and then putting the first process gas into a plasma state;
• and
• a third step of exposing a target material and a predetermined portion of the semiconductor laminated structure to the first process gas in the plasma state while no voltage is applied to the target material, causing a reaction of the target material and the first reactive gas to form an insulative material so that a film of the insulative material is formed on the predetermined portion of the semiconductor laminated structure;
• a fourth step of, after the third step, introducing a second process gas containing a second reactive gas and an inert gas into the sputtering apparatus, and then putting the process gas into a plasma state, and putting the second process gas into a plasma state;
• and
• a fifth step of exposing the target material and the predetermined portion of the semiconductor laminated structure, on which the insulative material film is formed, to the second process gas in the plasma state while a voltage is applied to the target material, causing a reaction of the target material and the second reactive gas to form a dielectric material so that a film of the dielectric material is formed on the insulative material film at the predetermined portion of the semiconductor laminated structure.