A gain-coupled distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser includes a grating formed by grooves through at least a part of an active region of a laser cavity. The DFB laser may be configured with a substantially pure gain-coupled grating and may be configured to provide facet power asymmetry. The grating may include at least a first-order grating section and a second-order grating section. A lasing wavelength may be obtained at the Bragg wavelength of the second-order grating section by substantially eliminating index coupling in the grating. The first-order grating section may act as a reflector for the lasing wavelength, thereby producing asymmetric power distribution in the laser cavity.