Long-term lifetests of c.w. (AlGa)As laser diodes at room temperature

Real-time lifetest data are given for a group of c.w. laser diodes operated continuously for periods as long as 4 years. Out of 24 lasers studied, four lasers have failed to date. This failure rate is compared with accelerated lifetests at 70°C; an estimated m.t.t.f. of ≈ 105 hours at room temperature is obtained.