A plasmonic quantum well laser may be provided. The plasmonic quantum well laser includes a plasmonic waveguide and a p-n junction structure extends orthogonally to a direction of plasmon propagation along the plasmonic waveguide. Thereby, the p-n junction is positioned atop a dielectric material having a lower refractive index than material building the p-n junction, and the quantum well laser is electrically actuated. A method for building the plasmonic quantum well laser is also provided.