A semiconductor laser is provided that includes a semiconductor layer sequence and electrical contact surfaces. The semiconductor layer sequence includes a waveguide with an active zone. Furthermore, the semiconductor layer sequence includes a first and a second cladding layer, between which the waveguide is located. At least one oblique facet is formed on the semiconductor layer sequence, which has an angle of 45° to a resonator axis with a tolerance of at most 10°. This facet forms a reflection surface towards the first cladding layer for laser radiation generated during operation. A maximum thickness of the first cladding layer is between 0.5 M/n and 10 M/n at least in a radiation passage region, wherein n is the average refractive index of the first cladding layer and M is the vacuum wavelength of maximum intensity of the laser radiation.