Maximum operating power of 1.3 μm strained layer multiple quantum well InGaAsP lasers

The maximum operating optical powers of ridge-waveguide 1.3 μm strained layer multiple quantum well lasers with various barrier heights and cavity lengths have been investigated over a wide temperature range. The linear reduction of output power with temperature was confirmed for all lasers under investigation. An empirical expression has been derived which shows that at a given temperature the laser output power is directly proportional to the laser’s characteristic temperature T0, and inversely proportional to its threshold current Ith.