An efficient long-wavelength light-emitting diode has a resonant-cavity design. The light-emitting diode preferably has self-organized (In,Ga)As or (In,Ga)(As,N) quantum dots in the light-emitting active region, deposited on a GaAs substrate. The light-emitting diode is capable of emitting in a long-wavelength spectral range of preferably 1.15-1.35 .mu.m. The light-emitting diode also has a high efficiency of preferably at least 6 mW and more preferably at least 8 mW at an operating current of less than 100 mA and a low operating voltage of preferably less than 3V. In addition, the light-emitting diode preferably has an intensity of maxima, other than the main maximum of the emission spectrum, of less than 1% of an intensity of the main maximum. This combination of parameters makes such a device useful as an inexpensive optical source for various applications.