We describe compressively strained separate confinement heterostructur
e 1.3 mum quantum well lasers optimized for high temperature operation
. The active layer consists of ten GaInAsP wells, each 40-80 angstrom
thick, grown under compressive lattice mismatch strain of DELTAa/a les
s-than-or-equal-to 0.75%. Within the constraints of the well compositi
on and thickness imposed on the active region, strain is necessary for
efficient laser operation. Best results are obtained for DELTAa/a app
roximately 0.2%-0.3% with the laser threshold as low as 5 mA and slope
efficiency of 42 mW/mA. In the temperature range of 25-85-degrees-C a
slope efficiency change as small as 30% was achieved. Power output of
at least 20 mW can be maintained up to 100-degrees-C at a current dri
ve below 150 mA.