Data are presented showing that a single-layer InAs quantum dot (QD) laser in the AlGaAs-GaAs-InGaAs-InAs heterostructure system is improved in gain and continuous wave (cw) room temperature operation by coupling, via tunneling, auxiliary strained-layer InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) to the single InAs QD layer to assist carrier collection and thermalization. A QW-assisted single-layer InAs QD laser, a QD+QW laser, is demonstrated that operates cw (300 K), and at diode length 150 mum in pulsed operation exhibits gain as high as similar to100 cm(-1). (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.