Page 131 - High Power Laser Handbook
P. 131
CHAPTER 5
Semiconductor
Laser Diodes
Laser Diode Basics and
Single-Emitter Performance
Victor Rossin
Senior Engineering Development Manager, Communications and
Commercial Optical Products, JDSU, Milpitas, California
Jay Skidmore
Senior Engineering Development Manager, Communications and
Commercial Optical Products, JDSU, Milpitas, California
Erik Zucker
Senior Director of Product Development, Communications and
Commercial Optical Products, JDSU, Milpitas, California
5.1 Introduction
Semiconductor laser diodes span a remarkably wide range of lasing
wavelengths, materials systems, fabrication technologies, and applica-
tions. The primary use of high-power laser diodes has historically been as
a pump source, or a laser that pumps or energizes another type of laser
or optical amplifier. Diode-pumped, solid-state lasers and fiber lasers
are the two main examples in the high-power or high-energy laser field.
However, with advancements in robust, higher-brightness laser
diode sources and more sophisticated fiber optic packaging techniques,
semiconductor lasers are starting to see implementation as so-called
101
