A laser diode vertical epitaxial structure, comprising a transverse waveguide comprising an active layer between an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer wherein the transverse waveguide is bounded by a lower index n-cladding layer on an n-side of the transverse waveguide and a lower index p-cladding layer on a p-side of the transverse waveguide, a lateral waveguide that is orthogonal to the transverse waveguide, wherein the lateral waveguide is bounded in a longitudinal direction at a first end by a facet coated with a high reflector (HR) coating and at a second end by a facet coated with a partial reflector (PR) coating and a higher order mode suppression layer (HOMSL) disposed adjacent to at least one lateral side of the lateral waveguide and that extends in a longitudinal direction.