Temperature-power dependence of catastrophic optical damage in AlGaInP laser diodes

Facet temperature changes in broad-area red-emitting high-power AlGaInP lasers are analyzed by means of micro-Raman spectroscopy. Measurements as a function of injection current demonstrate that the temperature at the laser output facet rises linearly with optical output power. Temperature profile measurements across the laser stripe show a strong correlation between near field intensity, facet temperature, and catastrophic optical damage (COD). Additionally, temperature-power analyses reveal that a critical facet temperature is needed to induce COD. The consistent results produced by complementary measurement techniques indicate that absorption of stimulated photons at the laser facet is the major source of facet heating.