A semiconductor laser and a method for producing such a semiconductor laser are disclosed. In an embodiment a semiconductor laser has at least one surface-emitting semiconductor laser chip including a semiconductor layer sequence having at least one active zone configured to generate laser radiation and a light exit surface oriented perpendicular to a growth direction of the semiconductor layer sequence. The laser further includes a diffractive optical element configured to expand and distribute the laser radiation, wherein an optically active structure of the diffractive optical element is made of a material having a refractive index of at least 1.65 regarding a wavelength of maximum intensity of the laser radiation; and a connector engaging at least in places into the optically active structure and completely filling the optically active structure at least in places.