Disclosed is a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor chip that includes an active layer and emits radiation in a main radiating direction. The active layer is structured in a direction perpendicular to the main radiating direction to reduce heating of the semiconductor chip by spontaneously emitted radiation. The active layer includes a region provided for optical pumping by a pump radiation source. The optically pumped region of the active layer is surrounded by a region having, in a direction perpendicular to the main radiating direction, a periodic structure that forms a photonic crystal in which radiation having the emission wavelength is not capable of propagation.