A self aligned, index-guided, buried heterostructure AlGalnN laser diode provides improved mode stability and low threshold current when compared to conventional ridge waveguide structures. A short period superlattice is used to allow adequate cladding layer thickness for confinement without cracking. The intensity of the light lost due to leakage is reduced by about 2 orders of magnitude with an accompanying improvement in the far-field radiation pattern when compared to conventional structures. The comparatively large p-contact area allowed by the self-aligned architecture contributes to a lower diode voltage and less heat during continuous wave operation of the laser diode.