In an edge emitting semiconductor laser comprising an active layer (3) that generates laser radiation (13) and is embedded into a first waveguide layer (1), wherein the first waveguide layer (1) is arranged between a first cladding layer (4) and a second cladding layer (5) and is delimited by side facets (9) of the semiconductor laser in a lateral direction, a second waveguide layer (2), into which no active layer is embedded, adjoins the second cladding layer (5), the second waveguide layer (2) being optically coupled to the first waveguide layer (1) at least in partial regions (10, 11), and a third cladding layer (6) is arranged at a side of the second waveguide layer (2) that is remote from the first waveguide layer (1).