Theoretical analysis of surface‐emitting complex‐coupled distributed‐feedback (SE‐CC‐DFB) lasers with a second‐order grating reveals that operation in a single‐lobed, orthonormal beam can be fundamentally favored. This happens when the modal‐gain difference between symmetric and antisymmetric modes due to the optical‐field (longitudinal) overlap with the gain/loss grating overcomes the modal‐gain difference based on radiation losses. The analysis is performed for a simple three‐layer structure with gain placed in the high‐index regions (i.e., in‐phase, second‐order CC‐DFB). Lasing at or near the Bragg frequency provides essentially uniform near‐field patterns, thus immunizing the device to gain spatial hole burning. The results and their implications are discussed. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.