Basic Diode Laser Engineering Principles

Summary

This chapter on basic diode laser engineering principles starts with a brief recap of the fundamental aspects and elements of diode lasers, including relevant features of the standard device types, with an emphasis on the advantages of quantum heterostructures for their effective use as active regions in the lasers. Then, it discusses common laser material systems along with lasing wavelength‐dependent applications and best output power levels achieved in each individual high‐power diode laser category for illustration and comparison. The chapter also explains various aspects of high‐power issues, including power‐limiting factors and reliability tradeoffs. Key electrical, optical and thermal parameters and characteristics are described to develop a good understanding of diode laser operation. The chapter concludes with a description of the basic aspects of diode laser fabrication and packaging technologies including laser wafer growth, processing, and packaging.

Controlled Vocabulary Terms

diode lasers; electric variables; microfabrication; temperature control