A semiconductor laser chip is joined to an AlN sub-mount in a junction-down manner. The sub-mount is joined to a package. The AlN sub-mount is joined to a stem. The direction perpendicular to the irradiation direction of a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser chip is the direction of the width of the sub-mount. The thickness and the width of the AlN sub-mount are determined so that the product of the equivalent stress applied to the center of the surface of the semiconductor laser chip joined to the sub-mount and the stress in the direction of the width of the sub-mount does not exceed 70% of the maximum value of the product obtained by changing the thickness and the width of the AlN sub-mount.