Thermal characteristics of high-power long-pulsewidth quasi-CW laser diode arrays

Byron L. Meadows; Farzin Amzajerdian; Nathaniel R. Baker; Vikas Sudesh; Upendra N. Singh; Michael J. Kavaya

doi:10.1117/12.531760

1 June 2004 Thermal characteristics of high-power long-pulsewidth quasi-CW laser diode arrays

Byron L. Meadows, Farzin Amzajerdian, Nathaniel R. Baker, Vikas Sudesh, Upendra N. Singh, Michael J. Kavaya

Proceedings Volume 5336, High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications II; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531760
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2004, San Jose, Ca, United States

Abstract

2-micron solid-state lasers operating at moderate to high pulse energies require high power quasi-CW laser diode arrays (LDAs) operating at a nominal wavelength of 792 nm with pulse durations of at least one millisecond. This long pulse duration is one of the main causes of limited lifetimes for these arrays. Such relatively long pulse durations cause the laser diode active region to experience high peak temperatures and drastic thermal cycling. This extreme localized heating and thermal cycling of the active regions are considered the primary contributing factors for both gradual and catastrophic degradation of LDAs. This paper describes the thermal characteristics of various LDA packages, providing valuable insight for improving their heat dissipation and increasing their lifetime. The experiment includes both direct measurement of thermal radiation of the LDA facet using a high resolution IR camera and indirect measurement of LDA active region temperature by monitoring the wavelength shift of the near-IR light. The result of thermal measurements on different quasi-CW LDA packages and architectures is reported.

Citation Download Citation

Byron L. Meadows, Farzin Amzajerdian, Nathaniel R. Baker, Vikas Sudesh, Upendra N. Singh, and Michael J. Kavaya "Thermal characteristics of high-power long-pulsewidth quasi-CW laser diode arrays", Proc. SPIE 5336, High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications II, (1 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531760

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