Stationary and transient thermal properties of semiconductor laser diodes

Numerical analyses and experimental results on thermal behavior of AlGaAs laser diodes for CW and modulated operations are presented. Theoretical stationary and transient temperature rises are calculated using Fourier and Laplace transformations. Effects of inhomogeneous heat flow to a submount and heat radiation from the diode surface into the ambient atmosphere are taken into account in the calculation. Thermal resistances of laser arrays are also discussed. Experimental temperature behavior at the active layer is obtained from the wavelength shift measurement of an oscillation mode using a birefringent filter, which provides fast and precise measurement. Three components of temperature rise are observed in step and periodic responses. Numerical and experimental results are in good agreement.